Azerbaijan has alleged that India is taking “revenge” on global platforms because of Baku’s close relations with Pakistan, claiming New Delhi blocked its bid for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Azerbaijani media accused India of violating multilateral diplomacy by opposing its ambition, linking the decision to Baku’s support for Islamabad during Operation Sindoor, the India-Pakistan conflict earlier this year. During the SCO Summit in Tianjin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, congratulating him for what he described as Pakistan’s “victory” over India in the clash.
RUSSIA OFFERS INDIA OIL AT $3–4 DISCOUNT
The price of Russian Ural crude oil has fallen to a $3–4 per barrel discount for India, even as New Delhi continues to face the impact of steep U.S. tariffs, according to a Bloomberg report. The discounted rates apply to cargoes loading in late September and October. The move comes after the Trump administration doubled tariffs on India to 50% last week, punishing New Delhi for its continued Russian oil imports, which Washington argues help fuel the Ukraine war. India, which became a major buyer of Russian crude in 2022, has faced repeated U.S. criticism but remains firm in its energy policy.
EX NSA SULLIVAN ACCUSES TRUMP OF SACRIFICING INDIA TIES
Former U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has accused President Donald Trump of endangering America’s ties with India in order to favor his family’s business interests in Pakistan. The Biden-era official described the move as causing “huge strategic harm” to U.S. foreign policy and long-term interests. Sullivan stressed that for decades, both Republicans and Democrats have worked to strengthen relations with India, the world’s largest democracy, citing shared interests in technology, economics, talent, and countering China’s rise. He warned that Trump’s actions undermined this bipartisan consensus and jeopardized a crucial strategic partnership.
PUTIN SAYS RUSSIA NEVER OPPOSED UKRAINE’S EU BID
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said Moscow has “never been against” Ukraine’s potential membership of the European Union, while stressing the need for an agreement that ensures the security of both Russia and Ukraine. His comments follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s remark at the Alaska Summit that Putin appears “tired of the war,” though the path to peace remains uncertain. At the SCO Summit in China, Putin dismissed Western claims that Russia aims to expand further into Europe as “horror stories” and “hysteria.” He reiterated Moscow was compelled to act in Ukraine due to NATO’s alleged attempt to “absorb the post-Soviet space.”
SHARIF MEETS PUTIN, SEEKS STRONGER PAKISTAN-RUSSIA TIES
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (September 2), expressing Islamabad’s desire for deeper ties with Moscow while acknowledging Russia’s longstanding relationship with India. Sharif said Pakistan respects Moscow’s relations with New Delhi and that it is “perfectly fine,” but urged Russia to also strengthen ties with Islamabad. “We also want to build very strong relations, which would be supplementary and complementary to the progress and prosperity of the region,” he told Putin.
