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During a clear signal to Western nations, Leader Vladimir Putin stated to PM Narendra Modi that Russia remains committed to guarantee “unbroken” supplies of oil to India. These remarks came during a summit where both heads of state met in Delhi and affirmed their partnership were “immune to external pressure.”

A Message For the Western Countries

This affirmation, issued after the annual summit, appeared to be a direct challenge at Washington, who have repeatedly attempted to pressure New Delhi into reducing its historical ties with Moscow. The context is in response to previous US actions, such as additional import duties on India because of its buying of discounted Russian crude.

“Our nation is a trustworthy exporter of energy resources and anything required for the advancement of India’s industry,” he remarked. “Russia is prepared to continue guaranteeing the consistent delivery of resources for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

Prime Minister Modi, though he did not referencing crude explicitly, reinforced the sentiment by noting that “a stable energy base has been a robust and crucial cornerstone of the bilateral partnership.”

Questioning Washington's Stance

Prior to the summit, during a TV appearance, Putin had criticized US interference on India's oil imports. Putin stated, “If the US can claim the privilege to buy our uranium, then why can't India enjoy the same privilege?”

Putin's arrival was his initial visit to India since the onset of the war in Ukraine, and the two nations undertook a clear effort to project that the bond between the two leaders was undisturbed.

A Personal Welcome

Taking an notable move, the Indian PM welcomed directly Putin as he disembarked. Both leaders shared a warm hug akin to close allies before having a one-on-one meal on Thursday evening.

The Indian prime minister referred to India's partnership with Russia as “a lodestar” and said it was “founded on mutual respect and deep trust.”

Expanding Bilateral Ties

The bilateral summit resulted in several key agreements regarding military and trade relations. One significant result was the signing of an joint economic plan aimed at 2030, which targets to increase twofold mutual trade to $100bn annually by the end of the decade.

The leaders also agreed to reshape their defence ties. Although Russia continues to be India's biggest source of arms, the volume has diminished over the past decade as India aims to diversify its procurement.

The joint statement emphasized an agreement on the co-development of advanced defence platforms, even if specific mention of systems like the Sukhoi Su-57 were left out.

Overall, Moscow and Delhi reiterated that amid the “present intricate, tense, and unpredictable geopolitical situation, the Indo-Russian partnership continue to be strong to outside forces.”