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In a clear message to the United States, Leader Vladimir Putin stated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Russia remains committed to maintain “uninterrupted” deliveries of crude oil to India. These remarks came as the two leaders met in Delhi and affirmed their relationship were “resistant to foreign coercion.”

A Statement Directed at the West

Putin's comments, delivered Friday, was widely seen to be a direct challenge at western countries, which have tried to compel New Delhi into reducing its longstanding relations with Moscow. The backdrop is in response to recent American measures, including additional trade penalties targeting New Delhi due to its buying of discounted Russian crude.

“Russia is a trustworthy source of energy resources and all required for the growth of India’s industry,” Putin said. “We are ready to keep ensuring the consistent supply of fuel for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

Modi, though he did not naming energy directly, echoed the focus by stating that “a stable energy base has been a key and vital foundation of the Indo-Russian alliance.”

Questioning American Pressure

Before the summit, via a media interview, Putin had challenged American pressure regarding India's oil imports. The president questioned, “When Washington can claim the privilege to buy our nuclear fuel, then why can't India have the same privilege?”

This trip was his first visit to India after the beginning of the war in Ukraine, and both sides undertook a visible effort to demonstrate that the bond between the two leaders was undisturbed.

A Personal Reception

In a notable step, the Indian PM welcomed directly Putin upon his arrival. Both leaders exchanged a hearty embrace as old friends before holding a closed-door supper the night before the summit.

The Indian prime minister referred to India's partnership with Russia as “a lodestar” and added it was “built on reciprocal esteem and strong faith.”

Expanding Defence and Economic Cooperation

Friday's talks produced a number of important deals regarding military and trade relations. One significant result was the signing of an strategic roadmap extending until 2030, which targets to increase twofold bilateral trade to $100bn per year by the end of the decade.

Additionally agreed to restructure their strategic cooperation. Even as Russia continues to be India's largest supplier of arms, this role has declined in recent years as India has sought widen its supply base.

The official release highlighted an agreement on the joint production of advanced military systems, even if specific mention of systems like the Sukhoi Su-57 were omitted.

Ultimately, Russia and India restated that in the “ongoing challenging, difficult, and uncertain geopolitical situation, their relationship continue to be durable to external pressure.”