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During a defiant signal to the West, Leader Vladimir Putin informed PM Narendra Modi that Russia stands ready to guarantee “uninterrupted” supplies of energy resources to India. This declaration came as the two leaders met in New Delhi and declared their bilateral ties were “immune to outside influence.”

A Statement For the United States

Putin's comments, made on Friday, seemed to be targeted at Washington, which have tried to compel New Delhi into curtailing its close ties with Moscow. This comes comes after earlier Washington's moves, such as additional tariffs against Indian goods due to its buying of Moscow's energy exports.

“Moscow remains a trustworthy source of fuel and everything needed for the advancement of India’s economy,” the Russian president remarked. “We are ready to keep ensuring the uninterrupted supply of energy for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

Prime Minister Modi, while not referencing crude specifically, reinforced the sentiment by stating that “secure fuel supplies has been a strong and vital cornerstone of the India-Russia cooperation.”

Challenging US Interference

In the lead-up to the meeting, in a media interview, Putin had questioned American pressure over India's energy purchases. He argued, “When Washington is entitled to buy our atomic materials, then why can't India claim the identical right?”

Putin's arrival was his first visit to India since the beginning of the situation in Ukraine, and Moscow and Delhi engaged in a deliberate show to project that the bond between the two leaders remained intact.

An Unusual Greeting

In a notable gesture, the Indian PM welcomed directly Putin upon his arrival. Both leaders shared a warm hug as close allies before having a one-on-one meal together.

The Indian prime minister later described India's alliance with Russia as “a guiding star” and noted it was “built on shared respect and deep trust.”

Expanding Defence and Economic Ties

The bilateral summit produced multiple important deals in the fields of military and economic cooperation. A cornerstone agreement was the finalization of an strategic roadmap extending until 2030, which targets to boost commerce to $100bn per year by the 2030 deadline.

The leaders also agreed to restructure their military partnership. While Russia remains India's largest source of arms, its share has diminished over the past decade as India works to broaden its supply base.

The official release highlighted an agreement on the co-development of cutting-edge military systems, even if specific mention of deals for the Su-57 fighter jet were left out.

In conclusion, both nations affirmed that in the “current complex, difficult, and uncertain global landscape, their relationship remain strong to external pressure.”