Russia's Putin Signals Defiance to US Over Oil Shipments to India Amid Tensions
In a bold move, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed that energy shipments to India will continue uninterrupted, sending a clear message to the US that Moscow is not willing to back down under pressure. The statement, made during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, appears to be directed at western countries, particularly the US, which has been imposing punitive tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil.
The US had imposed an additional 25% import tariff on India over its purchase of cheap Russian oil, arguing it was undermining US sanctions and helping Putin fund the invasion of Ukraine. However, Modi described the move as "unreasonable" and "unjustified," highlighting India's long-standing relationship with Russia, which is seen as one of the country's most important defense and geopolitical alliances.
Putin made it clear that Russia will not be swayed by US pressure over its energy cooperation with India, stating that Moscow is a reliable supplier of energy resources and essential components for India's energy sector. He also questioned why the US would allow India to purchase Russian nuclear fuel but deny similar privileges to other countries.
The joint statement issued after their talks emphasized that Russia-India ties remain resilient to external pressure, a clear stance against US attempts to undermine their relationship. The bilateral summit resulted in multiple agreements between the two countries, including an economic cooperation program aiming to double trade to $100 billion by 2030 and reshape their defense ties.
Despite the tensions with the US, Putin's visit to India was marked by warmth and camaraderie with Modi, who greeted him directly off the plane and described their relationship as a "guiding star." The two leaders agreed to joint production of advanced defense platforms, although specific details on the Sukhoi Su-57 fighter aircraft were not mentioned.
Overall, Putin's defiant stance on energy shipments to India sends a clear message that Russia will not be bullied by external pressure. The move is likely to be seen as a challenge to US dominance in the region and may lead to increased tensions between Moscow and Washington.
In a bold move, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed that energy shipments to India will continue uninterrupted, sending a clear message to the US that Moscow is not willing to back down under pressure. The statement, made during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, appears to be directed at western countries, particularly the US, which has been imposing punitive tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil.
The US had imposed an additional 25% import tariff on India over its purchase of cheap Russian oil, arguing it was undermining US sanctions and helping Putin fund the invasion of Ukraine. However, Modi described the move as "unreasonable" and "unjustified," highlighting India's long-standing relationship with Russia, which is seen as one of the country's most important defense and geopolitical alliances.
Putin made it clear that Russia will not be swayed by US pressure over its energy cooperation with India, stating that Moscow is a reliable supplier of energy resources and essential components for India's energy sector. He also questioned why the US would allow India to purchase Russian nuclear fuel but deny similar privileges to other countries.
The joint statement issued after their talks emphasized that Russia-India ties remain resilient to external pressure, a clear stance against US attempts to undermine their relationship. The bilateral summit resulted in multiple agreements between the two countries, including an economic cooperation program aiming to double trade to $100 billion by 2030 and reshape their defense ties.
Despite the tensions with the US, Putin's visit to India was marked by warmth and camaraderie with Modi, who greeted him directly off the plane and described their relationship as a "guiding star." The two leaders agreed to joint production of advanced defense platforms, although specific details on the Sukhoi Su-57 fighter aircraft were not mentioned.
Overall, Putin's defiant stance on energy shipments to India sends a clear message that Russia will not be bullied by external pressure. The move is likely to be seen as a challenge to US dominance in the region and may lead to increased tensions between Moscow and Washington.