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During a clear signal to the West, President Vladimir Putin informed PM Narendra Modi that Russia remains committed to provide “uninterrupted” shipments of crude oil to India. These remarks came when Putin and Modi met in Delhi and affirmed their partnership were “immune to external pressure.”

A Message For the West

The statement, issued after the annual summit, was widely seen to be a pointed rebuke at western countries, that have repeatedly attempted to pressure New Delhi into reducing its close links with Moscow. The context follows previous Washington's moves, such as additional trade penalties on India due to its purchase of Moscow's energy exports.

“Russia is a dependable source of oil and gas and anything required for the growth of India’s industry,” Putin stated. “Moscow stands willing to continue ensuring the steady supply of fuel for the fast-expanding Indian economy.”

Prime Minister Modi, while not referencing crude directly, supported the focus by noting that “energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the Indo-Russian alliance.”

Questioning Washington's Stance

Before the talks, via a TV appearance, Putin had questioned American pressure over India's energy purchases. He argued, “Should America is entitled to buy our atomic materials, why shouldn’t India enjoy the same privilege?”

This trip was his initial trip to India since the start of the war in Ukraine, and both sides made a deliberate attempt to demonstrate that the friendship between the two leaders remained intact.

A Personal Greeting

Taking an rare gesture, Modi welcomed directly Putin right off the plane. Both leaders exchanged a hearty embrace akin to old friends before holding a private dinner the night before the summit.

The Indian prime minister in his statement called India's relationship with Russia as “a lodestar” and noted it was “built on reciprocal esteem and strong faith.”

Expanding Bilateral Partnerships

Friday's talks produced multiple key agreements regarding military and economic cooperation. One significant result was the completion of an joint economic plan aimed at 2030, which targets to boost commerce to a hundred billion USD each year by the 2030 deadline.

The leaders also vowed to recalibrate their defence ties. While Russia continues to be India's largest source of weapons, the volume has diminished over the past decade as India works to broaden its sources.

The joint statement highlighted cooperation in the collaborative manufacturing of advanced weapons platforms, even if direct details of purchases such as the fifth-generation aircraft were left out.

Ultimately, Russia and India affirmed that amid the “present intricate, difficult, and uncertain global landscape, the Indo-Russian partnership stay durable to external pressure.”