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During a defiant statement to the United States, Leader Vladimir Putin stated to PM Narendra Modi that Russia remains committed to provide “continuous” shipments of energy resources to India. This declaration came during a summit where both heads of state met in the Indian capital and declared their partnership were “resistant to external pressure.”

A Message Aimed at the Western Countries

Putin's comments, delivered Friday, seemed to be a pointed rebuke at Washington, which have sought to compel New Delhi into scaling back its longstanding relations with Moscow. The context follows recent Washington's moves, such as the imposition of trade penalties targeting New Delhi over its acquisition of Moscow's energy exports.

“Moscow remains a trustworthy exporter of oil and gas and anything needed for the advancement of India’s industry,” the Russian president said. “Russia is prepared to continue ensuring the uninterrupted supply of energy for the fast-expanding Indian economy.”

Modi, though he did not mentioning oil explicitly, echoed the focus by noting that “a stable energy base has been a strong and vital pillar of the India-Russia cooperation.”

Defying American Pressure

Prior to the meeting, during a TV appearance, Putin had challenged American pressure regarding India's dealings with Russia. He argued, “When Washington can claim the privilege to buy our atomic materials, then why can't India claim the identical right?”

Putin's arrival represented his first trip to India since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, and Moscow and Delhi undertook a visible attempt to display that the friendship between the two leaders persisted strongly.

A Warm Greeting

Employing an unusual gesture, the Indian PM met Putin right off the plane. They embraced warmly akin to longtime companions before holding a one-on-one meal together.

The Indian prime minister in his statement called India's alliance with Russia as “a guiding star” and noted it was “built on shared respect and strong faith.”

Reaffirming Defence and Economic Cooperation

Friday's talks produced a number of significant pacts regarding military and financial collaboration. A cornerstone agreement was the signing of an economic cooperation programme that runs to 2030, which aims to increase twofold bilateral trade to a hundred billion USD annually by the end of the decade.

The leaders also agreed to restructure their defence ties. Even as Russia remains India's primary source of defence equipment, its share has diminished in recent years as India works to widen its procurement.

The joint statement stressed plans for the joint production of advanced weapons platforms, although specific reference of deals for the Sukhoi Su-57 were omitted.

Overall, Moscow and Delhi restated that amid the “current complex, difficult, and unpredictable international environment, the Indo-Russian partnership stay strong to outside forces.”