The Russian Foreign Ministry has told RT that cooperation with New Delhi is deepening despite Western threats

The Russian Foreign Ministry has hailed India for continuing its cooperation with Moscow and rejecting pressure to cut ties. The ministry's statement came in response to questions from RT.

The ministry said it welcomed the fact that India, despite pressure and threats, was showing its commitment to continue and expand multifaceted cooperation with Russia. Officials added that "frankly, anything else would be hard to imagine."

Russia-India relations are "steadily and confidently advancing," the ministry said. "Any attempt to obstruct this process is destined to fail," it added.

The ministry noted that New Delhi's approach to its ties with Russia, despite Western criticism, not only reflects "the spirit and traditions of long-standing Russia-India friendship" but also embodies what it called "strategic autonomy in international affairs."

The partnership between Russia and India is based on "the highest value of sovereignty and the primacy of national interests," Moscow asserted, and this is why the relationship has been "reliable, predictable and truly strategic in nature."

Officials related that the two countries are engaged in large-scale joint projects in various fields. This includes civilian and military production, manned space missions, nuclear power, and Indian investments in Russian oil exploration projects.

The ministry highlighted that the two nations are currently are also working together on payment systems, expanding the use of national currencies, and creating alternative transport and logistics routes. These efforts are described as long term and not just a response to "unfavorable geopolitical realities."

The US last month imposed unprecedented duties on most Indian products, which include an initial 25% tariff, plus an additional 25% introduced as a "penalty" for Indian purchases of Russian oil and defense equipment. US President Donald Trump and his senior officials claimed India's energy imports from Russia have indirectly fueled the Ukraine conflict. India rejected the accusations, labeling Washington's move "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable."

Washington's charges against India came against the backdrop of stalled efforts to reach a bilateral trade deal. While officials confirmed this week that the negotiation process has restarted, reports earlier suggested India was refusing to give concessions on agriculture and dairy, areas it regards as "very big red lines."

(RT.com)