RoydadNaft –  In a show of deepening energy ties, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Russia stands ready to fuel India’s booming economy with uninterrupted oil and gas shipments, brushing off escalating U.S. sanctions and tariffs aimed at isolating Moscow.

Speaking at a joint press conference in the historic Hyderabad House, Putin emphasized Russia’s role as a steadfast partner in India’s energy security. “Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal, and everything that is required for the development of India’s energy,” he said. “We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy.”

The remarks come at a tense geopolitical juncture, with India facing mounting U.S. scrutiny over its record Russian oil purchases—now accounting for over 40% of New Delhi’s seaborne crude imports. Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump slapped 50% tariffs on select Indian goods, explicitly linking the move to India’s support for Russia’s war machine in Ukraine. Reports indicate a U.S. trade delegation is slated to touch down in New Delhi next week for high-stakes talks, potentially to extract concessions on energy sourcing.

Modi, addressing Putin warmly as “my friend,” reciprocated the sentiment, hailing the “unwavering commitment” of Russia toward India. “Energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership,” Modi stated, underscoring the “time-tested” bonds between the two nations that date back to the Cold War era.

The leaders’ summit yielded a flurry of agreements, including a landmark economic cooperation roadmap extending to 2030. Modi highlighted how the pact would foster “diversified, balanced, and sustainable” trade and investment flows across sectors like health, chemicals, employment, and maritime shipping.

A standout announcement was Russia’s commitment to constructing India’s largest nuclear power plant at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. Putin revealed that Russia’s state-run nuclear giant, Rosatom, had just delivered the inaugural fuel shipment for the site’s third reactor on Thursday— a milestone in bilateral nuclear collaboration that could power millions of Indian homes for decades.

As global energy markets remain volatile, with Brent crude hovering above $80 per barrel amid Middle East tensions and Red Sea disruptions, Putin’s pledge underscores India’s strategic pivot toward discounted Russian crude, which has helped shield its economy from inflation spikes. Yet, the move has drawn bipartisan ire in Washington, where lawmakers argue it undercuts Western efforts to starve Russia’s war chest.

For Modi, navigating this tightrope is crucial: India’s voracious energy appetite—projected to double by 2040—demands affordable imports, but alienating the U.S., its top defense partner, risks broader trade fallout. Analysts see the Putin-Modi bromance as a masterclass in realpolitik, prioritizing economic pragmatism over ideological alignment.

As the two leaders wrapped up their talks, the message was clear: In the chessboard of global energy geopolitics, India and Russia are doubling down on their alliance, come what may from across the Atlantic.