Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India this week for a major meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The warm welcome, including a personal hug at the airport, showed the strong connection between the two countries. This happened even as Western nations, like the United States, are putting pressure on India to reduce its ties with Russia.
The visit highlights India's independent foreign policy. While the US and Europe have tried to isolate Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, India has not criticized Russia. Instead, trade between India and Russia has grown. A key part of this is India buying large amounts of Russian oil at a lower price. This gives Russia important money and helps India's economy.
This new energy relationship has caused a direct reaction from the United States. The US government recently placed extra taxes on some Indian products. Officials said this was to stop money from going to Russia through Indian oil purchases. This action has already slowed India's new orders for Russian oil. Before the Ukraine war, Russia provided very little of India's oil. Now, it supplies more than a third, showing a major change.
President Putin directly questioned the American position. He told Indian reporters that the US itself still buys nuclear fuel from Russia. He argued that if the US can do this, India should have the same right. Prime Minister Modi called Putin a "friend" online, stating that the India-Russia friendship is "time tested."
The leaders also talked about increasing military cooperation. India may buy advanced Russian fighter jets and missile systems. Additionally, Russia needs skilled workers, and India could be an important source for them.
The results of this meeting are significant. For Russia, it shows it can still build relationships with major countries despite Western opposition. For India, it confirms its policy of making independent decisions, balancing its older partnership with Russia against its newer security ties with the US. The warm welcome in New Delhi signals that India's own interests—like getting affordable energy and military supplies—will come before following the demands of Western nations.