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During a clear signal to the United States, President Vladimir Putin stated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Russia remains committed to guarantee “unbroken” shipments of crude oil to India. This declaration came when Putin and Modi met in New Delhi and affirmed their partnership were “resistant to external pressure.”

A Message For the Western Countries

The statement, issued after the annual summit, appeared to be a pointed rebuke at Washington, that have tried to urge New Delhi into curtailing its historical links with Moscow. The backdrop comes after earlier US actions, such as the imposition of import duties against Indian goods due to its purchase of Russian oil.

“Russia is a dependable supplier of energy resources and all required for the development of India’s energy sector,” the Russian president remarked. “We are ready to keep ensuring the steady delivery of energy for the fast-expanding Indian economy.”

The Indian leader, though he did not naming energy explicitly, supported the focus by stating that “secure fuel supplies has been a key and important pillar of the bilateral partnership.”

Challenging US Interference

In the lead-up to the meeting, via a media interview, Putin had criticized American pressure on India's energy purchases. The president questioned, “Should America is entitled to buy our uranium, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege?”

The visit was his initial journey to India following the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, and the two nations made a visible show to demonstrate that the bond between the two leaders was undisturbed.

An Unusual Reception

Taking an notable step, the Indian PM met Putin right off the plane. They shared a warm hug as longtime companions before holding a closed-door supper on Thursday evening.

The Indian prime minister later described India's relationship with Russia as “a guiding star” and noted it was “built on mutual respect and strong faith.”

Expanding Strategic Cooperation

Friday's talks produced multiple important deals regarding military and financial collaboration. One significant result was the signing of an joint economic plan that runs to 2030, which targets to double mutual trade to $100bn each year by the end of the decade.

Additionally agreed to recalibrate their strategic cooperation. Even as Russia continues to be India's biggest exporter of weapons, the volume has diminished over the past decade as India works to widen its sources.

The joint statement highlighted an agreement on the co-development of sophisticated defence platforms, even if explicit reference of purchases such as the fifth-generation aircraft were not made.

In conclusion, Russia and India affirmed that amid the “present intricate, strained, and uncertain global landscape, Russian-Indian ties remain durable to foreign influence.”