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Amid a defiant statement to Western nations, President Vladimir Putin has told PM Narendra Modi that Russia is prepared to maintain “uninterrupted” deliveries of energy resources to India. The announcement came as the two leaders met in the Indian capital and affirmed their relationship were “resistant to outside influence.”

A Statement Directed at the Western Countries

Putin's comments, delivered Friday, seemed to be targeted at the United States and its allies, which have tried to urge New Delhi into scaling back its historical ties with Moscow. The context comes after recent US actions, notably the introduction of tariffs against Indian goods due to its acquisition of Moscow's energy exports.

“Moscow remains a trustworthy exporter of oil and gas and anything needed for the development of India’s economy,” Putin stated. “Russia is prepared to keep ensuring the steady flow of fuel for the booming Indian economy.”

The Indian leader, while not naming energy explicitly, echoed the sentiment by saying that “energy security has been a strong and important cornerstone of the India-Russia partnership.”

Questioning Washington's Stance

Prior to the talks, during a TV appearance, Putin had questioned US interference on India's dealings with Russia. Putin stated, “If the US can claim the privilege to buy our atomic materials, how can you deny India have the same privilege?”

The visit marked his initial visit to India following the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, and Moscow and Delhi engaged in a deliberate attempt to display that the personal rapport between the men was undisturbed.

An Unusual Reception

Taking an rare step, Prime Minister Modi personally greeted Putin upon his arrival. They shared a warm hug as close allies before holding a private dinner on Thursday evening.

The Indian prime minister later described India's alliance with Russia as “a guiding star” and said it was “founded on shared respect and profound confidence.”

Expanding Bilateral Partnerships

The bilateral summit produced several key agreements in the fields of military and financial collaboration. One significant result was the completion of an economic cooperation programme that runs to 2030, which aims to increase twofold mutual trade to a hundred billion USD annually by the end of the decade.

The leaders also agreed to restructure their military partnership. While Russia continues to be India's biggest exporter of weapons, its share has diminished over the past decade as India aims to broaden its sources.

The official release emphasized cooperation in the joint production of sophisticated weapons platforms, though direct mention of purchases such as the fifth-generation aircraft were not made.

In conclusion, Moscow and Delhi reiterated that in the “current complex, difficult, and unpredictable global landscape, Russian-Indian ties remain durable to foreign influence.”