While Prime Minister Modi gave a warm welcome to the Russian president, President Putin questioned the US pressure on India to buy Russian oil.
At the start of a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out the United States’ import of Russian nuclear fuel and questioned the United States’ stance regarding India’s oil purchases from Moscow.
Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening and was warmly received at the airport by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who embraced the Russian leader in a rare gesture that underscored their personal intimacy.
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The visit comes as India faces increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has imposed punitive tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s purchase of discounted Russian crude oil.
In an interview with an Indian broadcaster before his arrival, Putin questioned the logic behind the US government’s criticism.
“The United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from the United States for its nuclear power plants,” he said, adding that if the United States has the right to buy Russian fuel, India should enjoy “the same privilege.”
“I am delighted to welcome my friend President Putin to India,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on social media, calling the relationship between the two countries “a long-standing test that has brought great benefits to our people.”
After hugging each other on the tarmac, the two drove to a private dinner at Modi’s residence.
I am pleased to welcome my friend President Putin to India. I look forward to our interactions tonight and tomorrow. The friendship between India and Russia is time-tested and has brought great benefits to our people. @KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/L7IORzRfV9
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025
Al Jazeera’s Neha Poonia, reporting from New Delhi, said the reception sent a clear message.
Regarding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he said, “Experts say that the warm reception given to President Putin shows that he is not an outcast and that there are countries that will accept him despite pressure from the West,” adding that Prime Minister Modi wanted to send a signal that he “will not bow to pressure from President Donald Trump.”
Putin defended energy ties, telling Indian media that cooperation with India “is not affected by political changes or the tragic events in Ukraine.”
He accused unnamed officials of trying to “constrain for political reasons” India’s growing international role.
The visit highlights the delicate balance India plays between Moscow and Washington. Before 2022, India’s oil imports from Russia accounted for only 2.5% of its total crude oil purchases, but now they have rapidly increased to nearly 36%, making India the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian oil.
🇷🇺🇮🇳President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India for a two-day state visit.
Russian leader received a warm personal welcome from Prime Minister @narendramodi. #DruzhbaDosti pic.twitter.com/jUeufbIdCv
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) December 4, 2025
Indian refiners saved about $12.20 per barrel by buying Russian crude at a discount.
But President Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods in retaliation, and recent U.S. sanctions against major Russian oil producers have begun forcing Indian refiners to cut back on purchases.
Reliance, India’s largest private refiner, has already announced that it will stop exporting petroleum products made from Russian crude.
On Friday, President Putin and Prime Minister Modi are expected to hold a formal summit and announce agreements spanning defense cooperation, shipping, health care and labor movement.
Russia is pushing to sell India additional S-400 missile defense systems and Su-57 stealth fighters, and the two countries aim to reach $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, a goal that now appears distant due to declining oil imports.
