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In a clear statement to the United States, President Vladimir Putin stated to PM Narendra Modi that Russia stands ready to provide “uninterrupted” shipments of energy resources to India. This declaration came when Putin and Modi met in the Indian capital and affirmed their relationship were “resistant to external pressure.”

A Message Aimed at the West

This affirmation, issued after the annual summit, was widely seen to be a pointed rebuke at Washington, which have tried to urge New Delhi into curtailing its longstanding relations with Moscow. This comes comes after previous US actions, such as the introduction of tariffs against Indian goods due to its buying of Moscow's energy exports.

“Our nation is a reliable source of oil and gas and everything needed for the development of India’s economy,” Putin stated. “We are ready to keep securing the uninterrupted supply of fuel for the booming Indian economy.”

Prime Minister Modi, without naming energy directly, reinforced the sentiment by noting that “energy security has been a key and crucial cornerstone of the Indo-Russian alliance.”

Defying Washington's Stance

Before the talks, via a television interview, Putin had criticized Washington's stance regarding India's energy purchases. He argued, “Should America has the right to buy our nuclear fuel, then why can't India claim the equivalent access?”

Putin's arrival marked his initial trip to India after the start of the situation in Ukraine, and both sides undertook a deliberate attempt to project that the personal rapport between the men persisted strongly.

A Personal Reception

Taking an rare gesture, Modi met Putin upon his arrival. They exchanged a hearty embrace akin to old friends before enjoying a closed-door supper together.

He referred to India's alliance with Russia as “a lodestar” and noted it was “founded on shared respect and strong faith.”

Strengthening Bilateral Partnerships

Friday's talks yielded multiple key agreements across military and trade relations. A cornerstone agreement was the signing of an strategic roadmap extending until 2030, which aims to double commerce to one hundred billion dollars per year by the target year.

Additionally agreed to reshape their defence ties. While Russia remains India's biggest exporter of arms, the volume has reduced lately as India aims to widen its supply base.

The official release highlighted cooperation in the joint production of sophisticated military systems, although explicit reference of purchases such as the fifth-generation aircraft were not made.

Overall, Moscow and Delhi affirmed that in the “current complex, difficult, and volatile geopolitical situation, the Indo-Russian partnership continue to be strong to foreign influence.”