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In a defiant signal to Western nations, Leader Vladimir Putin has told PM Narendra Modi that Russia stands ready to maintain “unbroken” deliveries of crude oil to India. The announcement came as the two leaders met in Delhi and affirmed their bilateral ties were “resistant to external pressure.”

A Signal For the United States

The statement, delivered Friday, appeared to be a pointed rebuke at Washington, who have repeatedly attempted to compel New Delhi into scaling back its close relations with Moscow. The context follows earlier American measures, notably the imposition of import duties targeting New Delhi because of its acquisition of discounted Russian crude.

“Our nation is a dependable source of oil and gas and all required for the development of India’s economy,” he said. “Moscow stands willing to continue ensuring the consistent delivery of resources for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

Prime Minister Modi, while not naming energy explicitly, echoed the focus by stating that “a stable energy base has been a strong and vital cornerstone of the bilateral alliance.”

Defying Washington's Stance

Prior to the summit, in a television interview, Putin had challenged American pressure on India's dealings with Russia. The president questioned, “If the US can claim the privilege to buy our uranium, then why can't India enjoy the same privilege?”

Putin's arrival represented his maiden trip to India after the onset of the war in Ukraine, and Moscow and Delhi made a visible attempt to demonstrate that the bond between the two leaders was undisturbed.

A Warm Greeting

Taking an rare step, Prime Minister Modi welcomed directly Putin upon his arrival. The two shared a warm hug like old friends before enjoying a private dinner the night before the summit.

Modi later described India's relationship with Russia as “a lodestar” and noted it was “founded on shared respect and profound confidence.”

Expanding Bilateral Partnerships

The bilateral summit yielded a number of important deals in the fields of military and financial collaboration. A cornerstone agreement was the signing of an strategic roadmap that runs to 2030, which aims to boost mutual trade to $100bn annually by the target year.

Additionally pledged to recalibrate their strategic cooperation. While Russia is still India's largest source of arms, the volume has diminished lately as India aims to diversify its sources.

The official release emphasized plans for the joint production of advanced military systems, even if direct details of purchases such as the Sukhoi Su-57 were left out.

In conclusion, Moscow and Delhi affirmed that during the “current complex, strained, and uncertain international environment, their relationship remain resilient to outside forces.”