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In a unambiguous message to the West, President Vladimir Putin informed PM Narendra Modi that Russia remains committed to provide “unbroken” supplies of energy resources to India. The announcement came as the two leaders met in the Indian capital and affirmed their bilateral ties were “immune to outside influence.”

A Message For the United States

This affirmation, made on Friday, was widely seen to be a pointed rebuke at the United States and its allies, that have repeatedly attempted to urge New Delhi into curtailing its longstanding relations with Moscow. The backdrop follows previous US actions, including the imposition of import duties on India due to its buying of Moscow's energy exports.

“Russia is a trustworthy exporter of fuel and all necessary for the advancement of India’s energy sector,” the Russian president stated. “Moscow stands willing to persist in guaranteeing the uninterrupted flow of fuel for the booming Indian economy.”

The Indian leader, without mentioning oil specifically, echoed the focus by stating that “secure fuel supplies has been a strong and vital pillar of the Indo-Russian alliance.”

Defying Washington's Stance

In the lead-up to the talks, during a television interview, Putin had questioned Washington's stance regarding India's energy purchases. Putin stated, “Should America can claim the privilege to buy our nuclear fuel, how can you deny India enjoy the identical right?”

The visit was his initial journey to India after the beginning of the situation in Ukraine, and Moscow and Delhi undertook a deliberate attempt to project that the personal rapport between the heads of state remained intact.

A Warm Greeting

Taking an unusual gesture, the Indian PM welcomed directly Putin right off the plane. The two exchanged a hearty embrace like old friends before enjoying a private dinner on Thursday evening.

He in his statement called India's partnership with Russia as “a lodestar” and added it was “founded on reciprocal esteem and strong faith.”

Strengthening Bilateral Partnerships

Friday's talks produced multiple important deals regarding military and trade relations. A major outcome was the completion of an strategic roadmap aimed at 2030, which targets to boost commerce to a hundred billion USD annually by the 2030 deadline.

The leaders also vowed to recalibrate their defence ties. Even as Russia continues to be India's biggest exporter of defence equipment, this role has diminished in recent years as India has sought diversify its sources.

Their communique emphasized plans for the co-development of sophisticated military systems, even if explicit mention of systems like the Su-57 fighter jet were not made.

Ultimately, Russia and India restated that amid the “current complex, strained, and volatile international environment, their relationship remain resilient to foreign influence.”