Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to maintaining “uninterrupted” fuel supplies to India, as New Delhi faces escalating pressure from Washington to curb its purchases of Russian oil.
Putin delivered the assurance during a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, a visit marked by a ceremonial welcome featuring a 21-gun salute and an honour guard. The meeting centred on energy, defence and trade pillars of the long-standing India–Russia partnership.
The Russian leader underscored Moscow’s role as a dependable energy supplier, telling Modi that Russia stands ready to continue supporting India’s growing energy needs. Modi, while acknowledging the strength of the partnership and referencing cooperation in nuclear energy, stopped short of directly addressing oil imports.
India became a major consumer of discounted Russian crude after the start of the Ukraine war, with Moscow supplying nearly 36% of India’s crude oil imports in 2024 around 1.8 million barrels per day. However, New Delhi has recently reduced these purchases amid intense diplomatic pressure.
The United States has taken a hard line, with President Donald Trump imposing steep 50% tariffs on most Indian goods in August, citing India’s continued reliance on Russian oil which Washington argues helps finance the conflict in Ukraine.
Putin said he briefed Modi on developments in Ukraine and ongoing efforts, including those involving the US, toward a potential negotiated settlement. Modi reiterated India’s consistent call for peace.
India is navigating a delicate geopolitical landscape, attempting to preserve crucial energy ties with Russia while avoiding further escalation with Washington during ongoing tariff negotiations.
“Balancing acts are second nature to Indian foreign policy,” former Indian ambassador to Russia Pankaj Saran wrote in the Times of India.
Despite global tensions, Modi praised the resilient partnership between New Delhi and Moscow, announcing an economic cooperation roadmap extending to 2030. Several agreements were signed across sectors such as employment, health, shipping and chemical industries.
Bilateral trade surged to $68.7 billion in 2024–25 nearly six times higher than before the pandemic — though Indian exports accounted for only a fraction of that total.
Analysts say the visit is part of India’s broader strategy to diversify strategic and economic ties as US tariffs strain relations.
Russia remains a significant supplier of military hardware to India, although New Delhi has increasingly sought to diversify its defence imports and expand domestic production. Russia’s share of India’s arms purchases dropped from 76% in 2009–13 to 36% in 2019–23, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Talks during the summit included advanced defence systems, fighter jets and nuclear submarines. India is also pushing for greater access to the broader Russian market.
Putin is expected to conclude his trip after a state banquet later on Friday.