By: Express Web DeskNew Delhi | Updated: October 3, 2025 09:54 AM IST 3 min readPrime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. (AP)Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday evening praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his governance in India, calling him “balanced and wise” while speaking about the US tariffs. Putin, ahead of his visit to India in December, also asserted that New Delhi will be able to balance the losses incurred by the hefty tariffs imposed by Donald Trump-led US administration.Speaking at the international Valdai discussion forum, Putin underlined that Russia and India have never had any problems or tensions between them and always took actions by keeping in view their sensitivities. The Valdai forum was held in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in South Russia and was attended by security and geopolitical experts from 140 countries, including India.“We have never had any problems or interstate tensions with India. Never,” the Russian President was quoted by news agency PTI.Calling India-Russia relationship “special”, Putin referred to PM Modi as his “friend” and said that he feels comfortable in their trustworthy interactions. During his address, Putin called PM Modi a “balanced, wise”, and “nationally oriented” leader. He hailed India’s decision to ignore US pressure to halt oil imports from Russia.“The losses faced by India due to punitive US tariffs would be balanced by crude imports from Russia, plus it will gain prestige as a sovereign nation,” he further added.In order to remove the trade imbalance, Russia may import more agricultural products and medicines from India.While answering a question on US pressure on India to renounce Russian energy, Putin said that PM Modi “would never take such a step”.Story continues below this adAs per a Reuters translation, the Russian President said, “If India refuses our energy supplies, it will suffer a certain loss… of course, the people of a country like India, believe me, will closely monitor the decisions made by the political leadership and will never allow any humiliation in front of anyone. And then, I know Prime Minister Modi; he himself would never take any step of this kind.”This comes after the fresh set of tariffs by the United States on India kicked in from October 1, with Trump announcing inflated import taxes on pharma products, furniture and heavy trucks.(With inputs from agencies.)Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:vladimir putin