Russia signals defiance to US as Putin assures uninterrupted oil shipments to India
In a move that appears aimed directly at Washington, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that energy shipments to India will continue "uninterrupted" despite mounting pressure from the US. The statement was made during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, where the two leaders reaffirmed their ties and signaled resilience against external pressures.
The move comes as the US has imposed punitive tariffs on India's import of cheap Russian oil, arguing it undermines US sanctions and helps fuel Russia's invasion of Ukraine. New Delhi has described the tariffs as "unreasonable" and "unjustified," highlighting the significance of its long-standing relationship with Moscow.
Despite this, Putin remained steadfast in his assertion that Russia will maintain a reliable supply of energy resources to India, citing the country's rapidly growing economy. The Russian leader made it clear that Moscow would not back down faced with US pressure over its energy cooperation with India.
In contrast, Modi did not specifically mention oil shipments, focusing instead on "energy security" as a key aspect of the India-Russia partnership. However, both leaders emphasized their commitment to their bilateral ties, describing them as resilient to external pressures in the face of growing geopolitical tensions.
The meeting between Putin and Modi comes at a time when Russia is seeking to expand its influence in Asia, particularly through increased cooperation with China. The two countries have recently vowed to boost economic ties, including plans to increase trade to $100 billion by 2030.
While no direct mention was made of specific defense agreements, both leaders agreed on reshaping their defense ties, with a focus on joint production of advanced defense platforms. Russia remains India's largest supplier of military hardware, although the country has been working to diversify its arms imports in recent years.
The visit by Putin marks his first trip to India since the invasion of Ukraine, and his meeting with Modi was characterized by warmth and camaraderie, with both leaders embracing each other like old friends. The bilateral summit resulted in several agreements on defense and economic cooperation, highlighting the enduring nature of the Russia-India relationship despite growing tensions with the West.
In a move that appears aimed directly at Washington, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that energy shipments to India will continue "uninterrupted" despite mounting pressure from the US. The statement was made during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, where the two leaders reaffirmed their ties and signaled resilience against external pressures.
The move comes as the US has imposed punitive tariffs on India's import of cheap Russian oil, arguing it undermines US sanctions and helps fuel Russia's invasion of Ukraine. New Delhi has described the tariffs as "unreasonable" and "unjustified," highlighting the significance of its long-standing relationship with Moscow.
Despite this, Putin remained steadfast in his assertion that Russia will maintain a reliable supply of energy resources to India, citing the country's rapidly growing economy. The Russian leader made it clear that Moscow would not back down faced with US pressure over its energy cooperation with India.
In contrast, Modi did not specifically mention oil shipments, focusing instead on "energy security" as a key aspect of the India-Russia partnership. However, both leaders emphasized their commitment to their bilateral ties, describing them as resilient to external pressures in the face of growing geopolitical tensions.
The meeting between Putin and Modi comes at a time when Russia is seeking to expand its influence in Asia, particularly through increased cooperation with China. The two countries have recently vowed to boost economic ties, including plans to increase trade to $100 billion by 2030.
While no direct mention was made of specific defense agreements, both leaders agreed on reshaping their defense ties, with a focus on joint production of advanced defense platforms. Russia remains India's largest supplier of military hardware, although the country has been working to diversify its arms imports in recent years.
The visit by Putin marks his first trip to India since the invasion of Ukraine, and his meeting with Modi was characterized by warmth and camaraderie, with both leaders embracing each other like old friends. The bilateral summit resulted in several agreements on defense and economic cooperation, highlighting the enduring nature of the Russia-India relationship despite growing tensions with the West.