FazTimes media: New Delhi / Moscow — Russia has strongly criticized the United States for its latest economic sanctions and tariffs, accusing Washington of trying to keep its global influence by using tough and politically driven economic pressure. This strong reaction comes as more countries are getting frustrated with what they see as America’s refusal to accept a world where multiple powers share influence.

According to NDTV, Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, spoke about the latest developments in a press briefing on Monday. She called the sanctions and tariffs a “regrettable reality,” saying they show that the U.S. can’t accept losing its leadership role in the new global order.

Zakharova’s comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs aimed at many countries, including important trade partners in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The political conflict has caught India, a key partner for both Russia and the U.S., in its midst.

"Tariffs Won't Stop History from Moving Forward"

Zakharova said that Russia will keep working closely with countries that are making their own choices on the world stage, especially those in the Global South and the BRICS group. No sanctions or trade battles, she asserted, can halt the inherent course of history.

"Washington can't stand losing its power, so it keeps pushing a neocolonial plan," she added. "This means meddling in the decisions of countries in the Global South, punishing them for staying connected to Russia or choosing their foreign policies."

She also warned that the current global economy, which is shaped by "politically driven protectionism," isn't just hurting Russia. It is also hindering the progress of developing nations. "America's use of trade as a weapon isn't just short-sighted—it's risky," Zakharova said. "It messes up global supply chains, hinders economic recovery, and causes problems around the world."

What the New Tariffs Mean for India

According to BBC News, the U.S. government is considering adding a 25% tax on Indian medicines and software exports. They are doing this because they say India is not following fair trade rules and isn't helping with sanctions against Russia.

This decision comes after India has continued to purchase cheap oil from Russia. This shows India is trying to stay friendly with Russia while also getting closer to the West. But now, the U.S. tariffs are making it harder for India to keep this balance.

India hasn't openly criticized the U.S. yet, but experts say that India might soon need to speak up more clearly about this issue.

India’s Position: Strategic Autonomy Under Pressure

According to Al Jazeera, Indian officials have privately raised concerns about what they see as Washington's growing transactional approach to diplomacy. “India’s strategic autonomy is being tested,” said Prof. Ananya Desai, a senior fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs. “New Delhi wants to keep engaging with the West without losing its ties with Russia. But these sanctions are forcing India into a difficult position where it must either obey the rules or stand up against them. And standing up could have serious consequences.”

India has long supported the idea of non-alignment, aiming to stay neutral and maintain flexibility in its foreign relations. However, the changing global situation, especially after the war in Ukraine and the creation of new groups like BRICS+, has made it harder for India to stay neutral.

Zakharova pointed out that the countries in BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—along with new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and the UAE—are working to create a fairer and more balanced world that isn't controlled by Western powers. This larger group, known as BRICS+, is trying to work together more on trade, money, and building projects. This helps reduce their reliance on Western groups like the World Bank and the IMF.

Zakharova said, “We have support from many countries that believe in a fairer and more democratic world, especially within BRICS.” India is leading BRICS by holding virtual meetings and pushing for changes in global trade rules that help the poorer countries. However, some see U.S. trade taxes as an effort to break the unity of this growing group.

A New Kind of Cold War?

Experts from around the world are saying that the current struggle between the West and nations that are not fully aligned is starting to look like a new Cold War. However, this one isn’t about nuclear weapons—it’s about economic tools like sanctions, tariffs, and trade agreements.

Former diplomat and writer T.P. Sinha explained, “This isn’t just about the U.S. and Russia anymore. It’s a larger fight between a world that is becoming less dominated by one power and a world with many rising powers. Countries like India will be key in deciding who wins.”

Recently, many countries in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia have started to search for new partners. Instead of just depending on Western groups, they are turning to countries like China, Russia, and the BRICS+ group.

This shift is causing more differences in how global issues are handled, especially when it comes to topics like funding for climate change, sharing technology, and providing development aid.

Will Tariffs Hurt the U.S.?

Some experts say the U.S. might end up hurting itself by using tariffs too strongly as a tool in its international relations. Dr. Priya Kamat, an expert on international trade, said, “The U.S. is forgetting that being a global leader means working with others, not forcing them around.” She added, “If the U.S. keeps putting tariffs on countries that don’t agree with it, it might lose the power it wants to keep.”

China and Russia are already moving away from using the U.S. dollar in their trade deals. Instead, they are using their currencies. The move could lead to a bigger shift away from the dollar being the main currency for global trade.

Reuters reports that more than a dozen countries, including India, are looking into digital currency systems.

These systems could allow countries to avoid using U.S.-controlled financial networks like SWIFT.

Final Word: A Test for India’s Diplomacy

As the world moves away from having one powerful country in charge, India is facing an important decision.

Managing its ties with the U.S., Russia, and its BRICS group partners needs smart diplomacy, clear thinking, and a strong focus on what's best for the country.

The next few months will be key in determining how India fits into the changing global picture. With increasing economic challenges and shifting alliances, New Delhi needs to be ready for a future where trade, national independence, and diplomacy are linked in new and uncertain ways.

So far, Russia's resistance to U.S. pressure has made the Global South more visible—and India's position as a major voice in that group even more important.

At FazTimes, we prioritize accuracy, confidence, and strong journalistic standards. To ensure every news story we share is real, we verify it with multiple trustworthy and independent sources.

We’ve compared this report with coverage from major news outlets worldwide, including BBC News, Reuters, Bloomberg, South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, NDTV, The Economic Times, and The Indian Express.

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