Putin’s Colonial Era Warning: India, China, and a New Multipolar World

Putin’s Colonial Era Warning: India, China, and a New Multipolar World

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a resounding message to the global community, cautioning Western powers against using colonial-era rhetoric and economic coercion toward major Asian economies like India and China. Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, Putin used the stage to challenge the status quo of international relations and defend the sovereignty and dignity of emerging global giants.

The End of Colonial Mindsets

Putin’s central warning is clear: the "colonial era is now over." He criticized Western attitudes that treat powerful Asian states as subordinates, insisting that the world must abandon such approaches when engaging with contemporary powers. "They have to realise they can't use these terms in speaking with partners," he stressed, referencing both India and China and their respective histories of resisting foreign control.

Rejection of Economic Threats

Putin was especially vocal about the recent wave of sanctions and tariffs targeting India and China, most notably the U.S. administration’s new 50 percent tariff on Indian goods. He characterized these measures as “economic coercion,” arguing that threats and punishment will only strengthen the resolve of national leaders. "When somebody tells you they are going to punish you, you have to think -- how can the leadership of those big countries react?" he said, indicating that strong leaders cannot afford to show weakness under external pressure.

India and China: Economic Giants in a Multipolar World

Emphasizing the new global reality, Putin called India and China "economic giants," highlighting their pivotal roles in organizations like BRICS and the SCO. According to him, modern multipolarity means "no single country can dominate others," and all states, regardless of power, should be given equal footing on the world stage. These organizations, he noted, avoid language of domination in global politics and security, promoting equality and mutual respect instead.

Rising Tensions and Economic Realignments

The context for Putin’s remarks is fraught with increasing trade tensions. U.S. tariffs and sanctions, especially those related to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, have created friction between Washington and its Asian counterparts. Rather than stifle the Russian-Indian energy relationship, these policies have prompted Russian exporters to offer greater discounts, with Urals crude selling at $3-4 per barrel below Brent benchmarks for coming shipments. The apparent result: sanctions may have prompted even deeper resource and trade ties between Russia and India.

Reinforcing the Russia-India Strategic Partnership

Another key theme from the summit was the affirmation of Russia’s strategic partnership with India. Putin’s personal rapport with Indian Prime Minister Modi was on public display, as he waited nearly ten minutes for Modi before departing together in the Russian leader's limousine—a gesture seen as both diplomatic and symbolic. Putin described Modi as a “dear friend” and spoke warmly of India’s diplomatic efforts regarding the Ukraine crisis.

On the broader stage, Putin’s comments signal Moscow’s intent to reinforce alliances outside the Western sphere and support emerging economies as peers, not junior partners, in global governance.

Conclusion

Putin’s statements at the SCO summit constitute both a rebuke of outdated Western attitudes and a call for a multipolar world based on equality and mutual respect. As sanctions and tariffs continue to roil international markets, the Russian leader’s strategic alignment with India and China may further shift the balance of global power, ushering in new economic partnerships and diplomatic paradigms.