PM Modi Reinforces Ties w/Russia In Congratulatory Call To Putin

Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi has reinforced his country's ties with Russia in a call to President Vladimir Putin congratulating him on his re-election in the 15-17 March election. Russia's state-run RIA reports Modi as expressing "sincere wishes for welfare and prosperity to the Russian people". The continued close links between New Delhi and Moscow remain crucial for ensuring cheap oil supplies for Indian industry, while also acting as a source of consternation for the West.

• The development of organisations such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue ('The Quad') with India, the US, Japan, and Australia have served to bring India closer towards the US-aligned nations with regards to the Indo-Pacific, and in particular with regards to the US-China rivalry.
• However, decades-long economic and defence links between India and Russia have proved harder for the US and Europe to break down. The EU has already placed some Indian firms on itssanctions list for supposedly supporting Russia's military-industrial complex.
• The Independent notes: "India, a major recipient of Russian military hardware, dramatically expanded its purchases of Russian crude oil after Western nations brought sanctions and a price cap in response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. India became the world’s leading importer of Russian crude oil last year, according to Kpler market data analysed by The Independent, importing an average 1.75 million barrels per day at a 140 per cent increase in 2022."