Beijing: Russian President Vladimir Putin, currently on a four-day visit to China, took a sharp swipe at the United States on Wednesday, September 3, criticising the use of punitive language in international relations.
While avoiding naming Washington directly, Putin warned against adopting a condescending or threatening tone toward major powers like India and China. “You cannot talk to India or China like that,” he said, underlining that both nations are “powerful economies” with deep political histories and must be respected as equal partners.
Putin’s remarks come at a time when global attention is fixed on US-led trade restrictions. India and China have both faced sweeping tariff hikes in recent years, including a 25 percent levy imposed on Indian goods reportedly linked to its purchase of Russian crude oil.
Questioning the rhetoric of punishment in diplomacy, Putin said: “When somebody tells you they are going to punish you, you have to think—how can the leadership of those countries, which have had difficult periods in their history too, show weakness?”
He added that such language undermines international cooperation, stressing: “They have to realise that they cannot use such a term while speaking with their partners.”
Putin also reiterated his call for a multipolar world order, rejecting the idea of any single nation dominating global politics or security. Highlighting forums such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, he said these platforms work on the principle of equality.
“From the international law point of view, everyone must have equal rights. It doesn’t mean that anyone should dominate over politics or global security… everyone must be equal,” the Russian President asserted.
