Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to maintaining steady oil supplies to India, even as New Delhi faces intensified pressure from Washington to cut back on its imports of Russian crude. During his visit to India, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin openly questioned the fairness of U.S. demands, noting that while India is being pressured over oil purchases, the United States continues to import Russian nuclear fuel for its own energy needs.

The visit coincided with renewed diplomatic efforts by the United States to mediate an end to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict. Despite these engagements, Putin reiterated in an interview with *India Today* that a peaceful resolution remains Russia’s preferred path, but insisted that Ukraine must withdraw its troops from the Donbas region to avoid further escalation. Modi, meanwhile, emphasized that India supports peace-oriented initiatives and is committed to backing efforts that could lead to a sustainable settlement. He described India’s stance not as neutrality, but as alignment with peace and stability.

Tensions between India and the United States have risen sharply in recent months following the imposition of heavy tariffs by President Donald Trump. The initial 25 percent tariff on Indian exports was later doubled to 50 percent as punishment for India’s continued dealings in Russian oil—an action New Delhi condemned as unjust and baseless. Putin highlighted the contradiction by pointing to U.S. dependence on Russian nuclear fuel, which remains substantial despite American sanctions. Data reported by Bloomberg revealed that Russia was the leading supplier of nuclear reactor fuel to the U.S. last year, even after a legal ban on enriched uranium imports was enacted.

During bilateral discussions, Modi and Putin signed several agreements spanning trade, agriculture, and various economic sectors. Modi also announced new 30-day visa schemes for Russian tourists, the opening of two additional Indian consulates in Russia, and plans to introduce Russia Today, Moscow’s state-backed TV network, into the Indian media space. Although no major defence contracts were finalized, both sides endorsed cooperative ventures in shipbuilding, nuclear energy, and critical minerals. A long-term economic roadmap extending to 2030 was also adopted, prioritizing employment generation, maritime connectivity, and healthcare.

Putin expressed optimism that bilateral trade—which currently stands at about $60 billion—could rise to $100 billion in the near future. Modi acknowledged that energy remains a cornerstone of the India–Russia relationship, though he avoided directly addressing the contentious issue of oil imports. India, one of the world’s largest oil consumers, significantly expanded its intake of discounted Russian crude after the Ukraine invasion, though some companies have recently scaled back purchases due to U.S. sanctions pressures.

In addition, Putin revealed an ambitious plan to help construct what will become India’s largest nuclear power plant, describing it as a flagship project in bilateral cooperation. Both leaders also committed to deeper defence collaboration, with an emphasis on joint research, technology development, and co-production of advanced military systems. Putin noted that Russia and India continue to coordinate closely within BRICS, which he hailed as an emerging platform for advancing a fairer and more multipolar world order.