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Amid a defiant statement to the United States, President Vladimir Putin stated to PM Narendra Modi that Russia is prepared to provide “unbroken” deliveries of crude oil to India. This declaration came as the two leaders met in Delhi and asserted their relationship were “resistant to foreign coercion.”

A Signal For the Western Countries

Putin's comments, issued after the annual summit, seemed to be targeted at western countries, which have repeatedly attempted to compel New Delhi into curtailing its historical relations with Moscow. The backdrop is in response to recent Washington's moves, notably the imposition of import duties on India because of its acquisition of Russian oil.

“Russia is a trustworthy source of energy resources and anything necessary for the growth of India’s industry,” he said. “We are ready to keep securing the consistent flow of resources for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

Prime Minister Modi, while not mentioning oil explicitly, reinforced the sentiment by noting that “energy security has been a robust and crucial foundation of the bilateral cooperation.”

Challenging Washington's Stance

Prior to the meeting, during a media interview, Putin had challenged US interference on India's oil imports. Putin stated, “If the US can claim the privilege to buy our atomic materials, how can you deny India claim the same privilege?”

The visit was his first trip to India after the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, and both sides undertook a clear effort to project that the bond between the two leaders was undisturbed.

A Warm Greeting

In a rare gesture, Modi welcomed directly Putin as he disembarked. The two shared a warm hug like close allies before having a private dinner the night before the summit.

The Indian prime minister in his statement called India's alliance with Russia as “a lodestar” and said it was “founded on reciprocal esteem and profound confidence.”

Expanding Defence and Economic Partnerships

The bilateral summit resulted in several important deals in the fields of military and financial collaboration. A major outcome was the signing of an economic cooperation programme extending until 2030, which aims to increase twofold mutual trade to $100bn annually by the end of the decade.

Additionally agreed to restructure their strategic cooperation. Even as Russia continues to be India's primary source of arms, its share has diminished lately as India has sought widen its sources.

The joint statement highlighted an agreement on the collaborative manufacturing of cutting-edge weapons platforms, even if specific details of systems like the Su-57 fighter jet were left out.

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