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Amid a clear statement to the United States, President Vladimir Putin stated to PM Narendra Modi that Russia remains committed to maintain “uninterrupted” deliveries of crude oil to India. The announcement came as the two leaders met in the Indian capital and affirmed their partnership were “immune to external pressure.”

A Signal For the Western Countries

This affirmation, made on Friday, was widely seen to be a pointed rebuke at Washington, that have sought to urge New Delhi into reducing its longstanding ties with Moscow. The context follows recent American measures, notably the imposition of trade penalties targeting New Delhi because of its purchase of discounted Russian crude.

“Our nation is a reliable exporter of fuel and anything necessary for the advancement of India’s industry,” Putin stated. “Russia is prepared to persist in guaranteeing the steady supply of resources for the fast-expanding Indian economy.”

The Indian leader, while not mentioning oil specifically, echoed the theme by noting that “energy security has been a key and crucial pillar of the Indo-Russian alliance.”

Questioning American Pressure

Before the talks, via a television interview, Putin had questioned Washington's stance over India's energy purchases. Putin stated, “If the US can claim the privilege to buy our nuclear fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege?”

This trip represented his maiden visit to India after the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, and Moscow and Delhi made a deliberate effort to project that the friendship between the heads of state remained intact.

An Unusual Welcome

Taking an unusual move, Modi met Putin right off the plane. Both leaders exchanged a hearty embrace akin to close allies before having a private dinner the night before the summit.

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

Reaffirming Bilateral Ties

The bilateral summit yielded multiple key agreements in the fields of military and financial collaboration. A cornerstone agreement was the signing of an economic cooperation programme that runs to 2030, which sets a goal to double bilateral trade to one hundred billion dollars per year by the 2030 deadline.

Additionally pledged to restructure their military partnership. Even as Russia continues to be India's primary exporter of defence equipment, its share has reduced over the past decade as India works to diversify its sources.

The joint statement highlighted an agreement on the joint production of advanced defence platforms, although direct details of deals for the Su-57 fighter jet were not made.

In conclusion, both nations reiterated that in the “present intricate, tense, and volatile geopolitical situation, their relationship remain strong to external pressure.”