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In a defiant signal to Western nations, Leader Vladimir Putin informed PM Narendra Modi that Russia stands ready to provide “continuous” deliveries of energy resources to India. This declaration came when Putin and Modi met in New Delhi and affirmed their relationship were “resistant to foreign coercion.”

A Statement Aimed at the Western Countries

The statement, issued after the annual summit, seemed to be targeted at Washington, who have sought to compel New Delhi into reducing its close ties with Moscow. The context is in response to earlier Washington's moves, including the imposition of trade penalties against Indian goods over its buying of Moscow's energy exports.

“Our nation is a reliable exporter of oil and gas and everything necessary for the advancement of India’s economy,” he said. “Russia is prepared to continue guaranteeing the steady delivery of fuel for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

Prime Minister Modi, while not naming energy explicitly, echoed the sentiment by noting that “a stable energy base has been a robust and vital foundation of the India-Russia partnership.”

Challenging US Interference

In the lead-up to the meeting, during a media interview, Putin had questioned Washington's stance regarding India's oil imports. He argued, “Should America is entitled to buy our atomic materials, then why can't India claim the same privilege?”

This trip represented his first journey to India following the start of the conflict in Ukraine, and the two nations undertook a deliberate attempt to demonstrate that the bond between the men was undisturbed.

A Warm Welcome

Taking an notable gesture, the Indian PM met Putin right off the plane. They shared a warm hug as old friends before enjoying a closed-door supper together.

He referred to India's alliance with Russia as “a beacon” and added it was “founded on reciprocal esteem and profound confidence.”

Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation

The meeting resulted in several significant pacts across defence and financial collaboration. A cornerstone agreement was the finalization of an economic cooperation programme that runs to 2030, which sets a goal to double bilateral trade to a hundred billion USD each year by the target year.

The leaders also pledged to restructure their defence ties. Even as Russia remains India's biggest source of weapons, the volume has diminished over the past decade as India works to diversify its supply base.

The joint statement stressed plans for the collaborative manufacturing of cutting-edge weapons platforms, though direct reference of purchases such as the fifth-generation aircraft were left out.

Ultimately, both nations affirmed that in the “ongoing challenging, difficult, and volatile global landscape, their relationship stay resilient to foreign influence.”