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In a clear message to the West, Leader Vladimir Putin has told PM Narendra Modi that Russia is prepared to provide “unbroken” supplies of oil to India. This declaration came as the two leaders met in New Delhi and declared their relationship were “immune to outside influence.”

A Message Directed at the Western Countries

This affirmation, made on Friday, seemed to be a direct challenge at the United States and its allies, which have repeatedly attempted to pressure New Delhi into reducing its longstanding relations with Moscow. This comes follows previous Washington's moves, such as additional import duties targeting New Delhi over its purchase of Moscow's energy exports.

“Russia is a dependable exporter of oil and gas and everything needed for the development of India’s industry,” he stated. “We are ready to persist in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of resources for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

Prime Minister Modi, though he did not mentioning oil explicitly, echoed the focus by noting that “energy security has been a robust and vital cornerstone of the India-Russia cooperation.”

Challenging American Pressure

Before the meeting, via a media interview, Putin had questioned American pressure on India's oil imports. Putin stated, “Should America has the right to buy our uranium, then why can't India enjoy the same privilege?”

Putin's arrival was his maiden journey to India following the start of the situation in Ukraine, and both sides undertook a deliberate attempt to project that the personal rapport between the heads of state persisted strongly.

A Personal Reception

In a unusual gesture, Modi met Putin upon his arrival. Both leaders embraced warmly as close allies before having a one-on-one meal together.

Modi later described India's relationship with Russia as “a beacon” and said it was “based on reciprocal esteem and strong faith.”

Strengthening Strategic Ties

The bilateral summit resulted in several significant pacts in the fields of defence and economic cooperation. One significant result was the finalization of an strategic roadmap aimed at 2030, which targets to boost bilateral trade to one hundred billion dollars each year by the target year.

Furthermore pledged to recalibrate their strategic cooperation. Although Russia continues to be India's largest source of defence equipment, this role has declined lately as India aims to diversify its procurement.

Their communique stressed plans for the co-development of advanced weapons platforms, even if direct reference of systems like the fifth-generation aircraft were not made.

Ultimately, Moscow and Delhi reiterated that during the “current complex, tense, and uncertain global landscape, Russian-Indian ties stay resilient to foreign influence.”