India’s Ministry of External Affairs defended its decades-old relationship with Moscow, calling the partnership “steady and time-tested,” after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticised New Delhi for maintaining close ties with Russia. The comments came during the ministry’s weekly press briefing, where spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was pressed repeatedly about India’s position on the Kremlin amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow. Jaiswal stressed that India also enjoys a “strong” defence and energy partnership with the United States and said bilateral ties have “weathered several transitions and challenges.” He declined to respond to Trump’s suggestion that India source oil from Pakistan, and did not elaborate on questions concerning the recently introduced 145% U.S. tariff on Chinese goods, noting only that discussions with Washington are ongoing.