As New Delhi is under intense pressure from the United States to cease purchasing oil from Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that he was prepared to continue “uninterrupted shipments” of petroleum to India.
In August, US President Donald Trump levied harsh 50% tariffs on the majority of Indian goods, blaming New Delhi’s ongoing purchases of Russian energy, which Washington claims funds the conflict in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended Putin for his “unwavering commitment towards India” during a conference in New Delhi that is primarily focused on energy, defense, and trade discussions.
Putin, on his first visit to close partner India since the Ukraine war, was given a red-carpet welcome with an honour guard and 21-gun salute.
“Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal, and everything that is required for the development of India’s energy,” Putin told Modi after talks.
“We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy,” he added, according to an official translator.
Modi stated that “energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership” and mentioned nuclear power, although he did not specifically mention oil.
After the conflict in Ukraine began, India became a significant importer of Russian oil, giving Moscow a vital export market while Europe drastically cut back on purchases.
About 1.8 million barrels of discounted oil per day, or roughly 36% of India’s total crude imports, came from Russia in 2024.
Under pressure, New Delhi has cut back on its imports of Russian crude.
Putin on Friday said he had shared with Modi “a great deal of details about the events taking place in Ukraine” and the efforts Moscow is taking “together with some partners, including the United States, on a possible peaceful settlement”.
Modi said that “India has always advocated for peace in relation to Ukraine”.
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