India-Russia Summit: Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his two-day visit to India, also addressed questions about India’s purchase of Russian energy in light of US tariffs. He particularly underlined that if the United States can buy Russian nuclear fuel, then India should have equal rights to access Russian oil without excessive restrictions.
The visit brings into view the continuity of the Indo-Russian partnership at a time when energy trade and geopolitical alignments come under increased international scrutiny.
Putin on India’s Right to Russian Energy
On this matter, Putin emphasized that energy purchases by India are legal, adding, “The United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its reactors. If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why not India?”
He framed energy acquisitions by India as equitable and in line with international norms in trade, signaling that India has no reason to be penalized for its continued strategic energy relations with Russia.
Response to US Tariffs on Russian Oil
The Russian president was responding to questions about US-imposed tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil, which stand at 50 percent as of August. He suggested that such measures reflect US domestic policy rather than universal trade principles, saying, “He – Trump is acting in good faith… with advisors who believe such policies benefit the US economy.”
Putin underlined that Russia refrains from imposing retaliatory tariffs and has no plans to adopt similar protectionist measures.
Kudankulam Nuclear Plant Unit 3 Receives Russian Fuel Amid Putin’s Visit
Coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to India on December 4, Rosatom, Russia’s nuclear power agency, has begun supplying nuclear fuel for Unit 3 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu. KKNPP, India’s largest nuclear power facility, currently has six VVER-1000 reactors.
Units 1 and 2 operational since 2013 and 2016, supply electricity to southern India, while Unit 3 is in the pre-commissioning stage. Units 4, 5 and 6 are under construction. Each reactor can generate 1,000 MW and once fully operational, the plant will produce 6,000 MW. Currently, KKNPP generates 2,000 MW, accounting for about a quarter of India’s nuclear power capacity.
Strengthening India-Russia Relations
Putin’s visit is a reiteration of the two-decade long relations between Delhi and Moscow. Meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to yield several agreements across trade, defense and energy verticals.
Through time and shifting global alliances, Indo-Russian cooperation remains firm as both countries continue to attach strategic importance to mutual trust and cooperation.
Strategic Autonomy & Global Positioning
Modi’s foreign policy reflects a balance in India’s strategic autonomy with very close ties with Russia, while retaining strong relations with the Western powers. Putin’s outreach marked recognition of this very exceptional geopolitical positioning, underpinning India’s independent decision-making in energy and defense, while fostering collaboration on broader international issues, including dialogue on the Ukraine conflict.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on public statements and media reports and it is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
