Putin Pledges Uninterrupted Fuel Supplies to India as Both Nations Deepen Strategic Economic Ties

New Delhi, Dec 2025: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday assured India of uninterrupted supplies of fuel and energy resources, underlining Russia’s commitment to supporting the growing needs of the Indian economy as both nations seek to further deepen their strategic partnership.

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Putin said Russia remains fully prepared to continue the steady flow of energy shipments to India despite global uncertainties and sanctions pressure. “We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the growing Indian economy,” he said, emphasising energy security as a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation

The assurance came alongside the signing of multiple agreements between India and Russia across key sectors including fertilisers, food safety standards, shipping, and maritime logistics. These agreements aim to further streamline supply chains and expand trade linkages.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the long-term economic vision guiding the partnership, stating that both sides have agreed on a structured economic cooperation programme to expand bilateral trade until 2030. “India and Russia have agreed on an economic cooperation program to expand trade till 2030,” the Prime Minister said, underscoring the shared goal of scaling up commercial engagement.

Earlier this week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had indicated that Russia expects its oil exports to India to rebound despite some recent moderation caused by Western sanctions. “There can be, for a very brief period of time, insignificant decreases in the volume of oil trade,” Peskov said while interacting with Indian journalists through a video link.

India had emerged as the largest buyer of Russia’s seaborne crude oil following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict. However, imports have seen a recent decline after the United States imposed sanctions on major Russian energy producers including Rosneft and Lukoil. Europe has also imposed restrictions on petroleum products refined from Russian crude, further complicating global energy trade.

Despite these challenges, bilateral trade between India and Russia remains robust. In the financial year 2023–24, two-way trade stood at $65.70 billion, with Indian exports accounting for $4.26 billion and imports reaching $61.44 billion. Both countries have set an ambitious target to raise this figure to $100 billion by 2030.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has stressed the need to bring greater balance and diversity to the trade basket. Addressing the India-Russia Business Forum, he said bilateral trade is nearing the $70 billion mark and must now shift toward more diversified and value-added exchanges. “We cannot rest; we need to grow and we need to balance this trade,” he said.

India’s major imports from Russia in FY25 include crude oil valued at nearly $57 billion, animal and vegetable fats and oils worth $2.4 billion, fertilisers at $1.8 billion, and pearls and precious stones worth over $433 million. The renewed energy assurances and fresh agreements signal a strong push to stabilise and expand this strategic economic relationship.

Team Maverick.