The leaders of two big countries met. Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Delhi (Putin-Modi). He met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was their main meeting for the year. The meeting was very important. It happened even with problems in the world.
The talks were held in Delhi. They had many important topics. But one thing stood out the most. This was the promise about uninterrupted oil shipments. Putin made this promise to Modi. This means Russia will keep sending oil to India. It will not stop.
This promise is very important for India. India needs a lot of energy. It needs cheap energy for its growing economy. This promise also sends a message. It is a message to other countries, like the United States.
This meeting shows that the old friendship between India and Russia is still strong. They call their relationship a “guiding star.”
The Main Promise: Oil for India’s Future Putin-Modi
The most important takeaway was the promise about fuel. It was made by President Putin. He gave a clear guarantee to India. Putin-Modi
A Guarantee of Fuel
Putin promised that fuel supply would not stop. He said this: “Russia is a reliable supplier of energy resources.” He added, “We are ready to continue ensuring the uninterrupted supply of fuel for the rapidly growing Indian economy.” Putin-Modi
This promise includes oil, gas, and coal. But oil is the biggest thing. India is a huge buyer of Russian oil. India needs this oil to keep its factories running. It needs it to power its cities. Putin-Modi
Why the Promise Matters Putin-Modi
The promise is important because of global events. Many Western countries have problems with Russia. They do not want Russia to sell its oil. They want to cut off Russia’s money. Putin-Modi
The United States has put pressure on India. US President Donald Trump placed a tax on many Indian goods. This was partly because India keeps buying cheap Russian oil. The US says this oil money helps fund the conflict in Ukraine. Putin-Modi
By making this promise, Putin is telling the world he will not back down. He is showing that Russia’s partnership with India is strong. Modi also spoke about this. He said that energy security is a “strong and important pillar” of the partnership. Putin-Modi
India is buying Russian oil because it is cheaper. This helps India control its own prices. It is good for the Indian economy. Putin-Modi
Bigger Goals: The $100 Billion Trade Plan Putin-Modi
The two leaders also talked about money and trade. They set a very big goal for the future.
The 2030 Trade Goal
Modi and Putin agreed on a major plan. It is called the Economic Cooperation Programme. This plan will run until the year 2030.
- The Target: The goal is to make trade bigger. They want the total value of trade between the two countries to reach $100 billion every year by 2030.
- Current Trade: Right now, trade is already high. It grew a lot after 2022. But most of the trade is one-sided. India buys much more from Russia than it sells. India mainly buys oil.
- Balancing Trade: Modi wants to fix this. He wants India to sell more goods to Russia. This would make the trade more balanced. They are looking for joint projects. They want to work together in areas like farming, medicines, and cars.
Working with the Eurasian Union
The leaders also talked about a new trade deal. Russia is the leader of a group called the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). This group includes several nations that used to be part of the Soviet Union.
- Free Trade: India and Russia want to finish talks quickly. They want a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the EAEU. This deal would make it easier to trade. It would remove taxes on many goods. This will help them reach their $100 billion target.
Moving Money: Using National Currencies
A big problem in their trade is money. Western rules make it hard to use US dollars.
Using Local Money
Both sides are working to fix this problem. They want to use their own money for trade.
- Rupees and Rubles: They want to use the Indian Rupee and the Russian Ruble for payments.
- High Usage: Already, most of their deals use these two currencies. Putin said that 96% of their commercial deals already use national currencies. This is a very high number.
- No US Dollars: This is a key step. It helps them avoid the rules and sanctions set by the United States. It makes their trade independent.
This move helps both nations keep their trade going. It shows a way to trade without depending on the Western banking system.
Beyond Oil: Nuclear and New Energy Putin-Modi
Energy cooperation is more than just oil. Russia is a big helper for India’s civil nuclear program.
Nuclear Power
Russia helps India build nuclear power plants. This cooperation has lasted for decades.
- Kudankulam: Russia is helping build the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. This is India’s largest plant. Two reactors are working now. Four more are being built.
- New Plans: The leaders talked about more projects. They spoke about building a second nuclear power plant with Russian technology.
- Future Energy: Putin also said they could work on new types of nuclear power. This includes small reactors that can float on water. These are called small modular reactors. This helps India get more clean energy.
Critical Minerals
They also agreed to work together on critical minerals.
- High-Tech Need: These minerals are very important. They are used to make clean energy tools. They are needed for high-tech items.
- Supply Chains: Working together on these minerals helps India. It makes India’s supply chain for high-tech goods stronger and more secure.
Working Together: Defense and Manufacturing
The friendship between India and Russia started many years ago. It began with defense deals.
Military Ties
Russia remains the biggest supplier of weapons to the Indian military.
- Weapon Systems: The leaders talked about making sure weapons are delivered on time. India wants the rest of the S-400 missile systems to be delivered faster. These are important air defense systems.
- Make in India: Russia promised to help India’s “Make in India” plan. This means Russia will help India make industrial goods and defense items inside India. They want joint projects in making machines and high-tech parts.
People and Jobs
The talks also covered people and jobs.
- New Visas: Modi announced that India will make it easier for Russian tourists. They will get free electronic visas to visit India. This will boost tourism.
- Arctic Training: India will train its sailors in Russian polar waters. This will create new job chances for young Indians. It also strengthens India’s work in the Arctic region.
A Message to the World Putin-Modi
The entire meeting was a message. It was a message about their strong bond.
Trust and Resilience
Modi called the India-Russia friendship a “pole star.” He said this star guides them in a changing world. He said their relationship is built on “mutual respect and deep trust.”
Putin also praised Modi. He said India is following an independent policy. It is doing what is best for itself. He thanked India for not giving in to outside pressure.
The joint statement said their ties are “resilient to external pressure.” This is a direct answer to the United States. It shows they will not let outside issues ruin their friendship.
The Peace Stance
The leaders also talked about the conflict in Ukraine.
- India’s Position: Modi said India supports peace. He said India welcomes all efforts to end the conflict through talking.
- Working for Peace: Putin thanked Modi for his attention to finding peace. He said they are talking with other partners, too.
In the end, the key takeaway is clear. Russia and India are deepening their partnership. They are protecting their energy ties. These are setting big trade goals. They are signaling that their friendship will continue. It will continue even with global challenges. They will work together for a more fair world order. This strong bond is important for the safety and economy of Asia.
Great Success for Both Sides Putin-Modi
The talks between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi in Delhi were a great success for both sides. The biggest point was the promise of uninterrupted oil shipments. This promise helps India keep its economy strong. It shows Russia’s commitment to India.
They set a huge goal to reach $100 billion in trade by 2030. They agreed to finish a big trade deal with the Eurasian Union. This will use their own money more for trade. They also agreed to build more nuclear power plants. This meeting proved that the India-Russia partnership is strong. It is strong enough to handle outside pressure. This friendship remains key for the future of both countries.
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