Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his two-day state visit to New Delhi on December 4-5, 2025, assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi of uninterrupted fuel shipments—including oil, gas, and coal—to India, defying U.S. pressure under President Trump, who imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports over discounted Russian crude purchases. At the 23rd India-Russia summit, Putin hailed Moscow as a “reliable energy partner” for India’s booming economy, which sourced 36% of its 2024 crude from Russia amid the Ukraine conflict, while leaders inked a 2030 economic roadmap targeting $100 billion trade, national currency settlements, and nuclear projects like small modular reactors. From New Delhi’s strategic lens, this fortifies energy security against Western sanctions, diversifies defense imports (down from 76% Russian reliance), and advances multipolar goals via BRICS-SCO, balancing U.S. ties without capitulation.