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India-Russia Ties Unshaken by Western Pressure: Putin Backs Modi’s Strategic Autonomy During High-Stakes Delhi Visit

Edited by IndianRepublic.in - Location: New Delhi, Delhi, India

In a pointed message amid growing Western pressure on both New Delhi and Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that the India–Russia partnership remains focused solely on mutual interests and is not targeted at any third country. 

India-Russia Ties Unshaken by Western Pressure as Putin Backs Modi’s Strategic Autonomy During High-Stakes Delhi Visit
Indian PM NaMo presenting a copy of the Gita to Russian Prez Vladimir Putin
His remarks came during a high-profile two-day visit to India for the 23rd Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as both nations seek to expand their decades-old strategic collaboration in the face of increasingly fractious geopolitical alignments.

Putin’s visit, his first to India since the Ukraine war began, coincides with a visible downturn in India–US relations. 

Tensions escalated after Washington imposed sweeping tariffs on Indian goods, including penalties for importing Russian crude oil — a punitive move widely interpreted as a warning shot to New Delhi for its continued economic cooperation with Moscow. 

In response, Putin dismissed the notion of geopolitical alignments shaping bilateral policy, stating clearly that “neither me nor Prime Minister Modi, despite certain external pressure we face, have ever approached our collaboration to work against someone.”

In a televised interview released Thursday evening, the Russian leader underscored that the deepening India–Russia energy and defence ties were guided by strategic calculations and national sovereignty, not bloc politics. 

“President Trump has his own agenda… whereas we focus on ours — not against anyone, but rather aimed at safeguarding our respective interests,” Putin said, rebuking criticisms aimed at India’s procurement of Russian crude.

With over 90% of bilateral transactions now conducted in national currencies, trade between the two nations remains resilient despite Western sanctions. 

Putin acknowledged a minor decline in overall trade this year but clarified that energy flows and defence cooperation were continuing unhindered. 

“Trade in petroleum products and crude oil… is running smoothly in India,” he said, noting that if the United States itself continues buying Russian nuclear fuel, it had little standing to criticise India’s sovereign decisions.

In a symbolic gesture that reinforced the personal rapport between the two leaders, PM Modi presented President Putin with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita in Russian. 

The summit opened with a private dinner hosted by Modi at his official residence, where discussions laid the groundwork for what officials described as a “consequential round of talks” focusing on defence industrial cooperation, energy resilience, and economic decoupling from Western-controlled systems.

On defence, the two countries signed a key protocol outlining both ongoing and prospective areas of cooperation. 

According to senior officials, India is pursuing expanded procurement of Russia’s S-400 air defence systems, new batches of BrahMos cruise missiles, upgrades for its Sukhoi-30MKI fleet, and advanced air-to-air missiles like the RVV-BD to maintain air dominance in South Asia. 

Talks also included India’s long-term interest in the S-500 system, although Moscow indicated it may not be available in the near term.

Despite delivery delays caused by the Ukraine war, Russia assured India that the remaining S-400 squadrons would be delivered in 2026, with the long-awaited Akula-class nuclear submarine expected to arrive by 2028. 

In a notable show of trust, Russia continues to offer technology transfers and joint production — a level of defence cooperation not extended to many others, Putin said, highlighting India’s status as a “reliable and privileged partner.”

On the global front, Putin reiterated support for India’s growing international influence and rejected any attempts to curtail it. 

“Certain actors dislike New Delhi’s growing role… and are trying to constrain India’s influence by imposing artificial obstacles,” he said. 

Without naming the US, his remarks clearly referenced recent moves by Washington to limit India’s strategic space.

On Ukraine, Putin maintained that Russia remains open to a “fair, lasting and binding” peace agreement but suggested that political and economic motivations continue to shape the West’s role in the conflict. 

“Trump sincerely aims for a peaceful resolution,” he noted, while avoiding direct comment on the Biden administration’s posture.

The summit was marked by high symbolism and even tighter security. A five-tier security cordon enveloped key zones in Delhi, with the protocols of the G20 summit revived to secure Putin’s visit. 

Russia’s armoured Aurus Senat limousine — dubbed the “rolling bunker” — was airlifted to Delhi, and high-tech snipers, anti-drone systems, and a parallel security control room were deployed at all venues. 

For aerial safety, Putin’s “Flying Kremlin” Ilyushin IL-96-300PU aircraft flew under escort, shadowed by backup aircraft along the route.

Modi and Putin travelled together in the Indian PM’s Toyota Fortuner, a rare and symbolic break from protocol, underscoring the close chemistry between the two leaders. 

Russian state media emphasised that over 25 agreements were being finalised, with key deliverables in the defence, nuclear, energy, education, and scientific sectors. 

Coinciding with the visit, Russia’s Rosatom delivered the first consignment of nuclear fuel for the third reactor at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, marking another milestone in civil nuclear cooperation.

In his remarks, Putin described Modi as a “leader of unwavering resolve,” adding that the Indian prime minister “sets very challenging tasks — first for himself, then for the country.” 

He also praised the Indian approach of balancing strategic interests without falling into binary alliances.

ALSO READ: 

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India Hosts Putin as Strategic Moscow-Delhi Ties Deepen Amid Ukraine War and Building US Pressure


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