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Amid a unambiguous signal to the West, Leader Vladimir Putin informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Russia is prepared to maintain “uninterrupted” supplies of crude oil to India. This declaration came as the two leaders met in Delhi and affirmed their bilateral ties were “immune to external pressure.”

A Signal For the Western Countries

The statement, issued after the annual summit, seemed to be targeted at the United States and its allies, who have repeatedly attempted to compel New Delhi into reducing its close ties with Moscow. The backdrop comes after earlier US actions, including the imposition of trade penalties targeting New Delhi because of its purchase of Moscow's energy exports.

“Russia is a reliable supplier of fuel and all required for the development of India’s economy,” the Russian president stated. “We are ready to persist in securing the uninterrupted flow of resources for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

Modi, though he did not naming energy specifically, echoed the sentiment by stating that “energy security has been a robust and vital cornerstone of the bilateral alliance.”

Defying US Interference

Before the summit, during a television interview, Putin had questioned American pressure regarding India's oil imports. Putin stated, “If the US is entitled to buy our nuclear fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege?”

The visit was his maiden trip to India after the start of the situation in Ukraine, and Moscow and Delhi undertook a deliberate effort to project that the friendship between the heads of state was undisturbed.

A Warm Greeting

Taking an notable move, the Indian PM met Putin as he disembarked. They shared a warm hug like longtime companions before having a closed-door supper on Thursday evening.

He referred to India's alliance with Russia as “a beacon” and noted it was “built on reciprocal esteem and profound confidence.”

Reaffirming Defence and Economic Partnerships

The meeting yielded a number of key agreements regarding defence and trade relations. A major outcome was the completion of an strategic roadmap that runs to 2030, which aims to increase twofold bilateral trade to one hundred billion dollars per year by the target year.

The leaders also agreed to restructure their military partnership. While Russia remains India's primary source of defence equipment, this role has diminished in recent years as India has sought widen its procurement.

The joint statement emphasized plans for the collaborative manufacturing of sophisticated military systems, although explicit reference of deals for the Sukhoi Su-57 were omitted.

Overall, both nations affirmed that amid the “present intricate, strained, and unpredictable geopolitical situation, their relationship stay strong to outside forces.”