In a powerful diplomatic signal to the West, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India’s relationship with Russia remains “steady like a pole star,” reaffirming New Delhi’s long-standing commitment to its strategic partnership with Moscow.
During his high-profile summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Modi praised Putin for “constantly nurturing” the bilateral relationship, emphasising that the friendship has endured global shifts, crises, and geopolitical pressures. The remarks were widely interpreted as a pointed response to Washington’s repeated criticism of India’s continued ties with Russia.
The summit produced major outcomes, including the signing of a comprehensive Economic Cooperation Programme 2030 aimed at boosting collaboration in energy, trade, defence manufacturing, skilled workforce mobility, and critical minerals. Putin assured India of “uninterrupted” energy supplies — a significant pledge as global markets remain volatile.
Modi highlighted that India’s foreign policy is driven by “strategic autonomy,” not alignment, and that the partnership with Russia remains vital for national security and energy stability. The warm camaraderie between the two leaders — often described as a “summit bromance” — underscored the resilience of their decades-old alliance.
Analysts say Modi’s strong statement marks one of the clearest diplomatic signals yet: India will maintain its independent geopolitical path, balancing relations with all major powers while fiercely protecting its national interests.
