NEW DELHI — Russian President Vladimir Putin received a conspicuously warm welcome in the Indian capital on Thursday, using a high-profile state visit to publicly challenge recent American efforts to dissuade New Delhi from purchasing Russian energy. The two-day summit, marked by a personal embrace from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport and a private dinner, underscored the resilience of a decades-old strategic partnership even as India navigates intensifying pressure from Western allies.
The visit, part of an annual leadership dialogue, served as a potent symbol of India’s determined pursuit of a non-aligned foreign policy. While the United States and its European partners have sought to economically and diplomatically isolate Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine, India has notably refrained from condemning Russia, instead deepening certain aspects of their bilateral trade. The central point of contention is India’s substantial increase in imports of discounted Russian crude oil, which has provided Moscow with a crucial revenue stream and offered New Delhi significant economic relief.
This burgeoning energy relationship, however, has attracted direct reprisal from Washington. The administration of President Donald Trump recently levied an additional 25% tariff on a range of Indian goods, explicitly citing the need to curb funds flowing to the Kremlin from Indian oil purchases. The economic measure proved immediately effective, leading to a reported decline in new Indian orders for Russian crude. Prior to the Ukraine conflict, Russia supplied a mere fraction of India’s oil imports; that figure has since ballooned to over a third of the total, illustrating a dramatic and pragmatic shift in supply chains.
In a pointed rebuttal to the American stance, President Putin questioned the logic of the U.S. pressure during an interview with Indian media. "The United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants," he stated, arguing that if the U.S. exercises this right, India should enjoy "the same privilege." This rhetorical challenge framed the issue as one of sovereign equality rather than adherence to a sanctions regime. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi, in a social media post, emphasized the enduring nature of the bond, calling Putin a "friend" and describing the India-Russia friendship as "a time tested one."
Beyond energy, the summit agenda featured discussions on deepening military-technical cooperation. Reports prior to the visit indicated negotiations were advanced regarding India’s potential acquisition of advanced Russian fighter aircraft and missile defense systems. Furthermore, with Russia facing a domestic labour shortage exacerbated by the war, India is viewed as a key source of skilled professionals, adding another dimension to the economic partnership.
The implications of this summit are multifaceted. For Russia, it represents a vital diplomatic and economic lifeline, demonstrating its ability to maintain relationships with major global powers despite Western isolation. For India, it reaffirms a commitment to strategic autonomy, balancing its growing security ties with the United States against a historic and still-valued partnership with Moscow. The United States, for its part, faces the complex reality of managing an ally that actively undermines its sanctions policy. The warm reception in New Delhi signals that, for now, India’s national interest, as defined by access to affordable energy and diversified defense supplies, will continue to take precedence over alignment with the Western bloc’s geopolitical demands.