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In a unambiguous message to Western nations, President Vladimir Putin informed PM Narendra Modi that Russia stands ready to provide “unbroken” supplies of crude oil to India. This declaration came during a summit where both heads of state met in Delhi and affirmed their bilateral ties were “resilient to external pressure.”

A Message For the Western Countries

This affirmation, delivered Friday, was widely seen to be a direct challenge at the United States and its allies, that have repeatedly attempted to pressure New Delhi into reducing its close relations with Moscow. The context follows previous Washington's moves, such as the imposition of trade penalties against Indian goods because of its acquisition of Moscow's energy exports.

“Moscow remains a trustworthy supplier of fuel and everything required for the growth of India’s energy sector,” the Russian president stated. “Russia is prepared to persist in ensuring the steady flow of resources for the booming Indian economy.”

Modi, though he did not referencing crude specifically, reinforced the focus by stating that “a stable energy base has been a strong and important cornerstone of the bilateral cooperation.”

Challenging Washington's Stance

Prior to the summit, in a TV appearance, Putin had questioned Washington's stance regarding India's oil imports. He argued, “If the US can claim the privilege to buy our atomic materials, how can you deny India enjoy the same privilege?”

Putin's arrival marked his first visit to India following the start of the war in Ukraine, and the two nations made a clear attempt to project that the bond between the heads of state remained intact.

A Warm Welcome

Employing an unusual move, Prime Minister Modi met Putin right off the plane. Both leaders shared a warm hug as longtime companions before having a one-on-one meal together.

The Indian prime minister later described India's partnership with Russia as “a guiding star” and said it was “built on reciprocal esteem and deep trust.”

Reaffirming Strategic Ties

The bilateral summit yielded multiple key agreements regarding defence and trade relations. One significant result was the finalization of an economic cooperation programme aimed at 2030, which targets to double bilateral trade to one hundred billion dollars each year by the target year.

The leaders also agreed to recalibrate their military partnership. Although Russia continues to be India's primary exporter of defence equipment, the volume has diminished lately as India aims to broaden its procurement.

The official release emphasized plans for the collaborative manufacturing of advanced weapons platforms, even if direct mention of systems like the fifth-generation aircraft were not made.

In conclusion, both nations restated that during the “present intricate, strained, and volatile global landscape, their relationship continue to be resilient to external pressure.”