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During a unambiguous message to the United States, President Vladimir Putin informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Russia is prepared to maintain “uninterrupted” supplies of crude oil to India. This declaration came when Putin and Modi met in the Indian capital and affirmed their relationship were “resistant to external pressure.”

A Signal Directed at the West

Putin's comments, issued after the annual summit, was widely seen to be a pointed rebuke at western countries, that have repeatedly attempted to urge New Delhi into curtailing its close ties with Moscow. The context comes after previous Washington's moves, including additional import duties on India over its purchase of Russian oil.

“Our nation is a trustworthy exporter of fuel and all needed for the advancement of India’s energy sector,” he stated. “Moscow stands willing to continue securing the steady delivery of energy for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

The Indian leader, without referencing crude directly, reinforced the focus by stating that “secure fuel supplies has been a key and vital cornerstone of the bilateral cooperation.”

Defying US Interference

Before the meeting, during a television interview, Putin had challenged US interference regarding India's energy purchases. Putin stated, “When Washington can claim the privilege to buy our atomic materials, then why can't India enjoy the equivalent access?”

Putin's arrival was his first trip to India since the beginning of the situation in Ukraine, and both sides made a clear attempt to demonstrate that the friendship between the heads of state was undisturbed.

A Warm Welcome

In a rare step, Prime Minister Modi met Putin right off the plane. They shared a warm hug like longtime companions before holding a private dinner together.

The Indian prime minister referred to India's partnership with Russia as “a beacon” and noted it was “based on shared respect and deep trust.”

Expanding Strategic Ties

The meeting produced a number of significant pacts in the fields of military and financial collaboration. A cornerstone agreement was the completion of an joint economic plan that runs to 2030, which aims to boost bilateral trade to $100bn per year by the 2030 deadline.

Additionally agreed to recalibrate their defence ties. While Russia continues to be India's biggest exporter of defence equipment, its share has reduced lately as India aims to widen its sources.

Their communique stressed cooperation in the joint production of sophisticated weapons platforms, although specific reference of systems like the Su-57 fighter jet were not made.

In conclusion, Russia and India affirmed that in the “current complex, strained, and uncertain international environment, Russian-Indian ties remain strong to foreign influence.”