Putin Promises India Uninterrupted Fuel Amid Rising US Pressure on Oil Imports
Russia reassures India on energy supplies despite US tariffs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday assured India of “uninterrupted shipments” of fuel, reinforcing Moscow’s commitment as New Delhi navigates intense pressure from the United States to curb oil imports from Russia. The declaration came during Putin’s first visit to India since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, underscoring energy, defence, and trade as the central pillars of the bilateral agenda.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Putin with a red-carpet ceremony, complete with an honour guard and a 21-gun salute, highlighting the enduring strategic partnership between the two nations. Addressing Modi directly, Putin emphasized that Russia remains a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal, and other essential energy resources critical to India’s rapid economic development. “We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy,” he added.
Energy security has long been a cornerstone of India-Russia relations, with Russia supplying nearly 36 percent of India’s crude imports in 2024 — approximately 1.8 million barrels per day — even as Europe sharply reduced purchases following the Ukraine war. While India has reduced Russian crude imports in recent months under US pressure, the summit reaffirmed Moscow’s willingness to maintain its strategic energy support for New Delhi.
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The discussions also extended to broader economic and defence cooperation. Modi and Putin agreed on an economic cooperation program through 2030, aimed at diversifying and balancing trade and investment. Bilateral trade reached $68.7 billion in 2024–25, significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, though Indian exports accounted for only a fraction of this total. The leaders exchanged a series of agreements covering jobs, shipping, health, and chemicals.
In the defence sector, India continues to balance its reliance on Russian military technology with efforts to diversify suppliers and strengthen domestic production. While Russia remains a key arms provider, its share of India’s arms imports has declined over the past decade. Defence ministers from both sides met during the summit to discuss access to Russian markets and advanced defence systems, though no final deals were announced.
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