New Delhi: Former chess legend Garry Kasparov, has warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi against trusting Russian president Vladimir Putin. Kasparov’s warning came on Saturday, a day after Modi spoke to Putin over phone and posted on X that he is a friend.

All of this comes in the backdrop of the US announcing 50% tariff on the import of Indian goods as punishment for importing crude from Russia.

Kasparov, a Russian, is the vice president of World Liberty Congress and the founder chairman of Renew Democracy. The former chess world champion is a staunch critic of Putin, who he accuses of curtailing the democratic freedom of Russian citizens.
“Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year,” Modi had posted on X on Friday.

Deccan Herald has reported a post of Kasparov’s in response, in which he warns Modi that Putin would sell him out along with India if it helps him prolong his ‘dictatorship’.

“Your friend Vladimir Putin? The genocidal war criminal? Your friend who would sell out you and the entire Indian nation at any time to prolong his dictatorship by one more hour? With friends like that, who needs democracy? Trump is a clown, but stand for something better,” Kasparov posted on X.

Netizens don’t seem to have taken too kindly to the chess champion’s remarks. An X user has been quoted by DH as responding that the war against in Ukraine is in no way comparable to the destruction caused by the US in Iran or Israel in Gaza. “Understand Putin is very capable of leveling Ukraine with no consequences but he doesn’t, others in the Kremlin would,” this user posted.

“Garry, India does not take moral lectures from someone who has spent years playing geopolitical games from the comfort of the West while others paid the price in wars you cheered for. Our friendship with Russia is based on decades of trust, strategic interests, and mutual respect not on Western approval ratings.We decide our allies based on what serves 1.4 billion Indians, not what pleases self-appointed guardians of democracy sitting oceans away,” he added.