Putin's India Visit Reinforces Strategic Ties Amid US Pressure

During Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, he was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Palam airport near New Delhi. This visit underscores the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, despite the mounting pressure from the United States. India, seeking to assert its strategic autonomy, continues to import discounted oil from Russia, leading to trade tensions with Washington.

In their meeting, Putin and Modi discussed enhancing economic cooperation and strengthening military ties. The defense partnership remains a cornerstone of their relationship, with Russia supplying over 60% of India's military hardware. The leaders also agreed to increase trade to $100 billion by 2030, emphasizing cooperation in energy and agriculture sectors.

Despite global criticisms over Russia's actions in Ukraine, India maintains its partnership with Russia, viewing it as crucial for its strategic interests. This visit highlights India's balancing act in managing its relations with both Russia and the US, as it strives to diversify its defense suppliers while upholding longstanding ties with Moscow. Putin's assurance of uninterrupted oil shipments to India further cements this resilient partnership.