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In a unambiguous statement to Western nations, President Vladimir Putin has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Russia is prepared to maintain “uninterrupted” shipments of oil to India. This declaration came when Putin and Modi met in New Delhi and asserted their relationship were “resilient to external pressure.”

A Statement Directed at the West

This affirmation, made on Friday, was widely seen to be a pointed rebuke at western countries, which have sought to urge New Delhi into curtailing its close ties with Moscow. This comes comes after recent US actions, including the imposition of trade penalties on India because of its acquisition of Moscow's energy exports.

“Moscow remains a trustworthy exporter of fuel and all needed for the advancement of India’s energy sector,” he stated. “Russia is prepared to continue ensuring the steady supply of fuel for the fast-expanding Indian economy.”

The Indian leader, without referencing crude specifically, echoed the theme by noting that “secure fuel supplies has been a robust and important pillar of the Indo-Russian cooperation.”

Challenging American Pressure

In the lead-up to the meeting, via a TV appearance, Putin had questioned American pressure regarding India's energy purchases. Putin stated, “When Washington has the right to buy our atomic materials, then why can't India enjoy the equivalent access?”

The visit marked his first visit to India since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, and both sides made a visible attempt to demonstrate that the friendship between the heads of state was undisturbed.

A Warm Greeting

Taking an rare gesture, Prime Minister Modi personally greeted Putin upon his arrival. They embraced warmly akin to longtime companions before enjoying a one-on-one meal the night before the summit.

Modi later described India's relationship with Russia as “a beacon” and noted it was “founded on shared respect and strong faith.”

Expanding Bilateral Partnerships

Friday's talks resulted in multiple significant pacts across military and financial collaboration. A cornerstone agreement was the signing of an joint economic plan that runs to 2030, which sets a goal to double commerce to $100bn annually by the end of the decade.

The leaders also pledged to restructure their military partnership. Although Russia remains India's biggest exporter of defence equipment, this role has reduced in recent years as India works to broaden its procurement.

Their communique stressed an agreement on the co-development of cutting-edge weapons platforms, even if specific reference of systems like the Sukhoi Su-57 were not made.

Overall, both nations reiterated that amid the “current complex, strained, and volatile international environment, Russian-Indian ties stay durable to external pressure.”