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During a defiant signal to the United States, Leader Vladimir Putin informed PM Narendra Modi that Russia stands ready to guarantee “unbroken” shipments of energy resources to India. The announcement came as the two leaders met in New Delhi and affirmed their partnership were “immune to external pressure.”

A Message For the Western Countries

The statement, made on Friday, was widely seen to be targeted at Washington, which have repeatedly attempted to compel New Delhi into reducing its close links with Moscow. The context is in response to earlier US actions, including the imposition of tariffs on India because of its purchase of Moscow's energy exports.

“Moscow remains a reliable supplier of fuel and anything needed for the growth of India’s energy sector,” Putin stated. “Russia is prepared to keep securing the uninterrupted flow of fuel for the fast-expanding Indian economy.”

Prime Minister Modi, while not referencing crude specifically, supported the theme by stating that “secure fuel supplies has been a robust and crucial foundation of the India-Russia alliance.”

Challenging US Interference

Prior to the meeting, via a television interview, Putin had criticized US interference on India's oil imports. He argued, “If the US has the right to buy our uranium, how can you deny India claim the equivalent access?”

Putin's arrival represented his first visit to India after the onset of the situation in Ukraine, and both sides engaged in a deliberate attempt to project that the personal rapport between the two leaders persisted strongly.

A Warm Welcome

Employing an unusual gesture, Modi personally greeted Putin as he disembarked. The two exchanged a hearty embrace akin to close allies before enjoying a one-on-one meal on Thursday evening.

Modi later described India's partnership with Russia as “a lodestar” and added it was “founded on shared respect and profound confidence.”

Expanding Defence and Economic Cooperation

The bilateral summit resulted in a number of important deals across military and economic cooperation. A major outcome was the finalization of an strategic roadmap aimed at 2030, which aims to boost mutual trade to $100bn each year by the end of the decade.

Additionally agreed to restructure their strategic cooperation. Although Russia continues to be India's primary source of arms, its share has diminished in recent years as India works to diversify its supply base.

The joint statement emphasized an agreement on the co-development of sophisticated defence platforms, though direct mention of purchases such as the Su-57 fighter jet were not made.

In conclusion, Moscow and Delhi affirmed that in the “ongoing challenging, difficult, and uncertain geopolitical situation, their relationship stay resilient to foreign influence.”