Indian Ambassador to Moscow Vinay Kumar discussed trade, energy, and the strong political ties between India and Russia in an interview with RT
The partnership between New Delhi and Moscow is reliable and resilient and the two countries are strengthening ties across trade, energy, and the political sphere, Indian Ambassador to Moscow Vinay Kumar said in a recent interview with RT released on Sunday, when India celebrates its 76th Republic Day.
Kumar discussed how India and Russia continue to deepen their relationship and described Moscow as “a reliable partner and friend.”“This is a very strong relationship with a lot of depth in it,” he said.
According to a survey conducted in November-December 2024 for the European Council on Foreign Relations and released earlier this month, 61% Indians view Russia as an ally, a figure much higher than for any other nation. Another 18% characterized Russia as a “necessary partner – with which we must strategically cooperate.”
When asked about the pressure on New Delhi from its partners in the West about its ties with Moscow, Kumar noted that India as a very ancient civilization is “very autonomous in our thinking.”“Russia has been a very important partner through the decades. So there is no question of abandoning friendship or partnership or cooperation,” he noted.
India has maintained strong diplomatic and trade ties with Moscow despite pressure from Washington and its allies, expanding cooperation in energy, defense, and other areas. As the world’s third-largest oil consumer, India relies on imports for over 85% of its needs, with Russia now its top crude supplier. New Delhi has emphasized Moscow’s role in ensuring its energy security and has argued that buying Russian oil stabilizes the global energy market, preventing a widespread crisis.
Energy remains a priority for India, the envoy noted, emphasizing that Russian crude plays a significant role in meeting the country’s needs. “The policy of the government is to provide to the Indian people affordable and sustainable means of energy, because energy security is one of the most important priorities for the socio-economic development of the country. Companies import oil accrued from whichever sources they find the most competitive price wise and more most sustainable” Kumar stated, adding, “Russian crude continues to flow into India.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of the latest sanctions imposed by the US and UK governments targeting major Russian oil exporters Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz and related entities, as well as 183 vessels – primarily the so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers that transport Russian oil.
Speaking on expanding trade between the two countries, Kumar noted the shift toward using national currencies in settlements. “70% of trade turnover between Russia and India is already being serviced in national currencies,” he said, adding that this figure would increase.
The ambassador also highlighted the close political ties between India and Russia. President Vladimir Putin has been invited to India for the 23rd annual summit, following two meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. “The invitation has been accepted and we would be working on the convenient set of dates. These exchanges, including the two visits of the Indian prime minister to Russia last year, [highlight] the scope of bilateral interactions that we have. And when President Putin visits, I am sure that these relations would expand further,” Kumar said. When asked what message these frequent meeting send to the world, the ambassador suggested: “Friends need to keep meeting.”
Republic Day in India marks the historic moment in 1950 when India, which gained independence from Great Britain in 1947, embraced its constitution and became a sovereign republic.
