(MENAFN) India has expressed strong approval of the meeting held on Friday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska.

Describing the efforts of both leaders as “highly commendable,” New Delhi reaffirmed its longstanding support for diplomacy and dialogue amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

In a public statement on Saturday, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the significance of the progress made in Anchorage.

“India welcomes the summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” it stated.

“Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable.”

As the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian crude, India has maintained a vested interest in the outcome of the Anchorage discussions.

The situation gained additional complexity after Trump recently introduced a 25% tariff on Indian exports, a move linked to India’s continued oil trade with Russia.

Adding to the pressure, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned earlier in the week that Washington might impose further tariffs on Indian goods if the Alaska summit failed to achieve meaningful results regarding Ukraine.

In a conversation with a news outlet on Wednesday, Bessent remarked, “President Trump is meeting with President Putin, and the Europeans are in the wings carping about how he should do it, what he should do. The Europeans need to join us in these sanctions.”

He emphasized, “The Europeans need to be willing to put on these secondary sanctions.”

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