Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday offered India uninterrupted fuel supplies as he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held summit talks aimed at expanding trade and defense cooperation between the long-standing partners.

India, the world’s top buyer of Russian oil and a major purchaser of Russian arms, welcomed Putin for a two-day state visit — his first trip to New Delhi since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

A U.S. delegation is still expected in India next week, underscoring New Delhi’s effort to juggle ties with both Washington and Moscow.

India weighs U.S. pressure

New Delhi is negotiating a trade deal with Washington to roll back tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump over India’s Russian oil purchases. India’s energy imports from Russia are expected to drop to a three-year low this month amid U.S. sanctions and pricing pressures. Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Rick Switzer remains scheduled to travel to India on Monday, two U.S. officials said.

Russia, meanwhile, is seeking more Indian goods to help push bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.

Moscow offers steady oil flows

Putin said Moscow was prepared to ensure “uninterrupted fuel supplies” to India, echoing comments a day earlier challenging U.S. pressure to limit Russian oil imports.

India responded cautiously. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said energy companies make decisions based on “evolving market dynamics” and commercial concerns, signaling the impact of sanctions and fluctuating prices. He said cooperation continues within that framework.

Reflecting the cautious approach, state refiners Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum Corp have ordered January cargoes from non-sanctioned Russian suppliers because of widening discounts, Reuters reported.

Modi highlights enduring partnership

Calling the India-Russia relationship “a guiding star,” Modi said the two sides agreed on an economic cooperation plan through 2030 to make trade “more diversified, balanced, and sustainable.”

Standing beside Putin, Modi repeated India’s call for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine. A joint statement said Russian-Indian ties “remain resilient to external pressure” despite global geopolitical strains.

Ceremonial welcome and new deals

Putin received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, with a 21-gun salute as his convoy arrived. A large business and government delegation accompanied him.

Among the agreements signed were plans to ease Indian workers’ movement to Russia, establish a joint-venture fertilizer plant, and deepen cooperation in agriculture, healthcare and shipping.

The two sides also agreed to reshape defense ties around India’s push for greater self-reliance, with joint research, development and production of advanced platforms, including spare parts and components for servicing Russian military equipment.

Putin challenges Washington

In an interview with India Today aired Thursday, Putin questioned U.S. pressure on India’s purchases of Russian fuel.

“If the U.S. has the right to buy our (nuclear) fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege?” he said, adding he was ready to discuss the issue with Trump.

India argues that Trump’s tariffs are unjustified, noting continued U.S. and European imports of Russian commodities — from liquefied natural gas to enriched uranium — despite sanctions.