India, Russia Seek to Deepen Trade Ties Despite Western Pressure
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to expanding and diversifying bilateral trade beyond oil and defence, even as Western nations urge New Delhi to scale back its long-standing ties with Moscow. Modi hailed the India–Russia partnership as a “guiding star” built on mutual trust, adding that the two countries have agreed on an economic cooperation roadmap through 2030 to make trade “more diversified, balanced, and sustainable.”
Putin, who received a ceremonial 21-gun salute at Rashtrapati Bhavan during his two-day state visit, emphasized Russia’s intent to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies to India and advance key projects including the Kudankulam nuclear power plant. Several agreements were signed, covering labour mobility, agriculture, healthcare, shipping, and a joint venture fertiliser plant, along with a plan to reconfigure defence cooperation toward greater joint research, development, and localised production in India.
The visit comes amid India’s parallel negotiations with the United States to remove punitive tariffs linked to its purchases of Russian oil. As New Delhi juggles its ties with both Moscow and Washington, analysts say India faces a strategic balancing act. Despite geopolitical tensions and U.S. sanctions, a joint statement said India–Russia ties remain “resilient to external pressure,” underscoring both nations’ intent to elevate trade to $100 billion by 2030.
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