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In a clear statement to the West, President Vladimir Putin has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Russia remains committed to provide “continuous” supplies of energy resources to India. This declaration came as the two leaders met in the Indian capital and affirmed their bilateral ties were “resistant to outside influence.”

A Signal Aimed at the Western Countries

This affirmation, delivered Friday, seemed to be a pointed rebuke at the United States and its allies, who have tried to compel New Delhi into reducing its close links with Moscow. This comes comes after recent American measures, such as the introduction of trade penalties targeting New Delhi because of its purchase of Moscow's energy exports.

“Our nation is a trustworthy supplier of energy resources and everything needed for the advancement of India’s energy sector,” the Russian president said. “Moscow stands willing to keep guaranteeing the uninterrupted supply of energy for the rapidly growing Indian economy.”

The Indian leader, while not naming energy directly, echoed the sentiment by stating that “a stable energy base has been a robust and important pillar of the Indo-Russian alliance.”

Questioning American Pressure

Before the meeting, during a television interview, Putin had criticized US interference regarding India's dealings with Russia. The president questioned, “Should America is entitled to buy our atomic materials, how can you deny India enjoy the same privilege?”

The visit was his initial visit to India following the start of the conflict in Ukraine, and the two nations undertook a visible show to demonstrate that the friendship between the men was undisturbed.

An Unusual Welcome

Taking an rare gesture, Prime Minister Modi personally greeted Putin as he disembarked. The two shared a warm hug akin to close allies before enjoying a closed-door supper on Thursday evening.

Modi referred to India's partnership with Russia as “a lodestar” and said it was “based on mutual respect and strong faith.”

Reaffirming Bilateral Partnerships

Friday's talks resulted in a number of important deals regarding military and economic cooperation. One significant result was the completion of an joint economic plan extending until 2030, which targets to double mutual trade to a hundred billion USD each year by the end of the decade.

The leaders also pledged to reshape their defence ties. While Russia remains India's largest source of arms, this role has diminished lately as India works to widen its supply base.

Their communique emphasized an agreement on the collaborative manufacturing of cutting-edge military systems, although explicit reference of systems like the Su-57 fighter jet were left out.

Overall, Moscow and Delhi affirmed that in the “current complex, tense, and unpredictable global landscape, the Indo-Russian partnership continue to be strong to foreign influence.”