Putin Slams Western 'Dominance', Defends India and China Amid U.S. Tariff Spat:

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at Beijing’s historic Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, delivered a sharp warning to nations attempting to dominate global politics or security, while defending emerging powers like India and China as essential players in a balanced world order. "From the standpoint of international law, all countries must have equal rights and be treated equally," Putin asserted, emphasizing the importance of balance in global relations. He acknowledged the rise of economic powerhouses like India and China, but cautioned against efforts to “punish” them for their independent policies. Putin noted that both countries have distinct political systems and national interests. “When a leader of such a country is cornered or pressured, showing any sign of weakness could mean the end of his political career,” he said. Colonial Legacy and the West’s Double Standards Taking a swipe at the West, Putin reminded the world of its colonial past. “Many countries have gone through difficult times in their history – from colonial rule to long-standing violations of sovereignty,” he said. “Now that the colonial era is over, these nations need to understand they cannot use the same tone with their global partners anymore.” Putin’s remarks come at a time of rising geopolitical tensions, particularly involving India, Russia, China, and the United States. U.S. Doubles Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Ties On August 27, former U.S. President Donald Trump stunned observers by doubling tariffs on Indian goods to 50%. Half of these tariffs were aimed at penalizing New Delhi’s increasing imports of Russian crude oil, while the other half aligns with Trump's "America First" agenda to reduce the U.S. trade deficit. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro sharply criticized India’s growing energy and diplomatic ties with Moscow. Referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Navarro called the gathering “a shame.” “It’s a shame to see Prime Minister Modi getting in bed with Xi Jinping and Putin,” Navarro said. “We hope he realizes that India needs to stand with the U.S., not Russia.” India Pushes Back: Tariffs Called 'Unjustified' The decision to slap “secondary tariffs” on India has sparked backlash in New Delhi. Indian officials have defended the country’s decision to buy discounted Russian oil, calling the U.S. tariffs unwarranted and unjustified. Experts warn that after years of strategic cooperation between India and the U.S., this move could be a major setback for bilateral ties. Interestingly, India is the only country targeted by these secondary tariffs, even though China remains one of the top importers of Russian crude oil. What This Means for Global Power Dynamics As the world sees a realignment of global alliances, Putin’s remarks underscore Russia’s intent to forge deeper partnerships with countries like India and China — ones that challenge the traditional dominance of the West. Whether this signals a long-term shift in global power remains to be seen, but the current rhetoric and actions from global leaders suggest a world order in flux.

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