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Amid a defiant message to the West, Leader Vladimir Putin informed PM Narendra Modi that Russia remains committed to guarantee “continuous” supplies of energy resources to India. The announcement came as the two leaders met in the Indian capital and asserted their bilateral ties were “resistant to foreign coercion.”

A Signal Aimed at the Western Countries

The statement, made on Friday, seemed to be a direct challenge at western countries, who have repeatedly attempted to compel New Delhi into curtailing its close ties with Moscow. This comes follows recent Washington's moves, including additional tariffs targeting New Delhi due to its buying of Russian oil.

“Russia is a dependable exporter of oil and gas and anything required for the advancement of India’s energy sector,” Putin stated. “Russia is prepared to keep ensuring the uninterrupted supply of fuel for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

Prime Minister Modi, while not mentioning oil specifically, reinforced the theme by noting that “secure fuel supplies has been a strong and crucial foundation of the bilateral cooperation.”

Questioning American Pressure

In the lead-up to the talks, in a TV appearance, Putin had challenged US interference on India's energy purchases. He argued, “Should America is entitled to buy our nuclear fuel, why shouldn’t India have the identical right?”

This trip marked his maiden trip to India following the beginning of the situation in Ukraine, and Moscow and Delhi undertook a visible attempt to display that the friendship between the heads of state was undisturbed.

A Personal Welcome

Taking an unusual move, Prime Minister Modi met Putin as he disembarked. Both leaders shared a warm hug like old friends before holding a one-on-one meal together.

The Indian prime minister referred to India's partnership with Russia as “a beacon” and added it was “built on shared respect and profound confidence.”

Reaffirming Defence and Economic Cooperation

Friday's talks produced multiple significant pacts in the fields of defence and financial collaboration. A cornerstone agreement was the signing of an strategic roadmap extending until 2030, which aims to double bilateral trade to one hundred billion dollars each year by the 2030 deadline.

The leaders also vowed to recalibrate their defence ties. Although Russia remains India's biggest supplier of weapons, this role has declined in recent years as India has sought broaden its procurement.

The joint statement stressed cooperation in the collaborative manufacturing of advanced military systems, although specific mention of deals for the fifth-generation aircraft were left out.

Overall, Moscow and Delhi restated that amid the “current complex, strained, and unpredictable geopolitical situation, Russian-Indian ties remain resilient to outside forces.”