Putin defends India’s right to buy Russian oil
Sultanul Arefin 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly challenged Washington’s stance on India’s purchases of Russian energy.
Speaking to Indian broadcasters before landing in New Delhi, he said the United States continues to buy Russian nuclear fuel for its own reactors.
If the US has the right to buy that fuel, he argued, India should enjoy “the same privilege”.
Putin’s comments come as India faces strong pressure from US President Donald Trump to scale back discounted Russian crude imports.
India visit highlights energy and tariffs dispute
Washington has imposed steep tariffs of up to 50 percent on some Indian goods in response to those oil purchases.
New Delhi insists the imports are vital for energy security and to keep fuel affordable for its 1.4 billion people.
Modi gives Putin a warm welcome in Delhi
Putin arrived in the Indian capital to a red-carpet welcome and a rare airport embrace from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi later posted on social media that he was “delighted” to greet his “friend” and described India-Russia ties as “time tested”.
The optics signalled that India still values its long-standing partnership with Moscow, despite Western pressure over the Ukraine war.
Oil trade and defence deals on the agenda
India’s imports of Russian crude have surged from a tiny share before 2022 to about 36 percent of total oil purchases.
Indian refiners have saved more than $12 per barrel by buying discounted Russian oil, though new US sanctions are starting to curb those flows.
During the visit, both sides are also discussing defence cooperation, including possible sales of S-400 air-defence systems and Su-57 fighter jets, plus a long-term goal of reaching $100bn in bilateral trade.
Balancing Russia, the US and the Ukraine war
For India, the visit underlines a careful balancing act between its historic security partner Russia and strategic partner United States.
New Delhi has avoided condemning Moscow at the United Nations and continues to buy Russian energy, while also expanding military and technology ties with Washington.
Putin, meanwhile, frames cooperation with India as “not aimed against anyone”, but as a response to what he calls politically motivated pressure from the West.
How India manages this tightrope will shape its foreign policy, energy security and role in the wider Russia-Ukraine conflict in the months ahead.
Featured image: Reuters
About The Author
Suzan Seherin 