Putin Challenges US Pressure on India Over Russian Oil
During a state visit to India, Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned US pressure on India regarding its discounted Russian oil purchases, highlighting US imports of Russian nuclear fuel. He received a warm welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaling strengthened ties despite US tariffs and sanctions. The visit aims to boost defence and trade cooperation, while India navigates its strategic balance between Moscow and Washington amidst global political shifts impacting oil deals.
Russian President Vladimir Putin embarked on a state visit to India, where he was met with a notably warm reception by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a gesture underscoring their personal rapport and signaling India's defiance of Western pressure. During his visit, Putin directly challenged Washington's criticism of India's substantial purchases of discounted Russian crude oil, pointing out the perceived hypocrisy of the United States' own continued imports of Russian nuclear fuel. This visit unfolds amidst mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has imposed punitive tariffs on Indian goods in retaliation for New Delhi's increased reliance on Russian oil.India's oil imports from Russia have dramatically surged from 2.5 percent of its total crude purchases before 2022 to nearly 36 percent currently, positioning India as the world's second-largest buyer of Russian oil and saving its refiners significant costs. However, US sanctions on Russian oil producers and Trump's tariffs have begun to impact Indian refiners, with some, like Reliance, already announcing reductions in purchases and exports of products made from Russian crude. The visit is set to include formal summit talks between Putin and Modi, with expected agreements spanning defence cooperation, including potential sales of S-400 missile systems and Su-57 fighter jets, as well as shipping, healthcare, and labor mobility. Both nations aim to achieve $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, a target that now appears distant due to the shifting dynamics of oil imports. Putin defended the Indo-Russian energy relationship, asserting it remains unaffected by global political events, implicitly referencing the Ukraine conflict, and accused unnamed entities of attempting to constrain India's growing international role for political reasons. The visit prominently highlights India's delicate yet determined balancing act between its long-standing strategic partner, Russia, and its evolving relationship with the United States.
