India, Dec. 4 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on a high-profile visit to India, has asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "is not one to give in to pressure", such as that from the US in the form of tariffs for Delhi's oil business with Moscow.

"India is a great power; not an English or British colony," Putin said in an interview with India Today just hours before he landed at Delhi's Palam airport where Modi personally received him.

Putin stressed on the historical India-Russia defense and trade relations. He also noted that over 90% of transactions between them are now in their national currencies. That means less pressure of the US dollar.

He was asked specifically about the US and the West using sanctions to try an...