At New Delhi summit, Putin promises steady oil flow amid US-India trade tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday offered India “uninterrupted shipments” of fuel during summit talks in New Delhi, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Russian leader for a meeting dominated by energy, defence and trade issues. The assurance comes at a time when India is under heavy pressure from the United States to curb its purchases of Russian oil.

US President Donald Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on most Indian products in August, citing New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian crude — revenue that Washington argues helps Moscow finance the war in Ukraine.

Putin, making his first visit to close partner India since the start of the Ukraine conflict, received a red-carpet welcome that included an honour guard and a 21-gun salute. Modi thanked him for his “unwavering commitment towards India”.

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“Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal, and everything that is required for the development of India’s energy,” Putin told Modi after the talks. “We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy,” he added, according to an official translator.

Glimpses from the ceremonial welcome for President Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Putin has been unwavering in his commitment to strong India-Russia ties and has contributed immensely to taking this relationship to new heights. Though the world has seen many changes over… pic.twitter.com/iQQNzq168n

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2025

Modi said “energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership”. While referring to nuclear power, he did not specifically mention oil.

India became one of the largest buyers of Russian oil after the Ukraine war began, giving Moscow a key export market as Europe sharply cut purchases. In 2024, Russia supplied nearly 36 per cent of India’s total crude imports, around 1.8 million barrels per day of discounted oil. New Delhi has recently reduced purchases under pressure.

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Putin said he shared with Modi “a great deal of details about the events taking place in Ukraine” and ongoing efforts “together with some partners, including the United States, on a possible peaceful settlement”. Modi reiterated that “India has always advocated for peace in relation to Ukraine”.

‘Balancing acts’

India continues to navigate a diplomatic tightrope — relying on strategic Russian oil imports while avoiding escalation with Washington during ongoing negotiations over US tariffs.

“Balancing acts are second nature to Indian foreign policy making,” former ambassador Pankaj Saran wrote in the Times of India on Friday.

Modi addressed Putin as “my friend” and underlined the strength of India-Russia ties. “We have agreed on an economic cooperation program until 2030,” he said, following the signing of agreements covering jobs, health, shipping and chemicals. “This will ensure that our trade and investment are diversified, balanced, and sustainable.”

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Bilateral trade reached $68.7 billion in 2024–25 — almost six times higher than pre-pandemic levels — but Indian exports totalled only $4.88 billion. “This visit is part of India’s diversification strategy, both in terms of strategic and economic, especially at a time when the US tariffs have hurt India,” Ashok Malik of The Asia Group told AFP.

India remains one of the world’s biggest arms importers, and Russia has long been a principal supplier. But New Delhi has sought to broaden its sourcing and expand domestic production. Russia’s share of India’s arms imports fell from 76 per cent in 2009–13 to 36 per cent in 2019–23, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Alongside talks on advanced defence systems — from air defence platforms to fighter jets and nuclear submarines — India is also pushing for easier access to the wider Russian market.

Putin concludes his trip later on Friday with a state banquet.

(With inputs from agencies)