Roman Babushkin, the Charge d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy in India, reaffirmed the strength of India’s strategic partnership with Moscow despite growing Western pressure. At a press briefing, he stated that India is unlikely to halt its purchases of Russian oil, even after the United States imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods and an additional levy on imports of Russian crude. Stressing Moscow’s support for New Delhi, Babushkin remarked that Western criticism is often an indicator of making the right decisions, adding that Russia remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted crude supplies to India through a “special mechanism” designed to maintain energy flows.
He criticised Western nations for what he called “neocolonial behaviour,” pointing out that unilateral sanctions and trade restrictions disrupt supply chains, destabilise global markets, and pose risks to energy security in developing countries. Russia, he emphasised, is the world’s largest oil producer, while India is one of the largest consumers, and therefore their cooperation is essential for global market balance. According to him, even a hypothetical refusal by India to purchase Russian oil would not improve ties with the West, since Western nations act primarily in their own interests.
The envoy highlighted that Moscow is offering India alternative export markets to counter the barriers it faces in the United States, reiterating that the Russian market is open to Indian goods. He also pointed out that bilateral trade between the two countries has grown sevenfold despite the sanctions regime, underscoring the resilience of their economic relationship. Babushkin further noted that President Vladimir Putin personally values India, citing a recent phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
He described the Russia-India relationship as a genuine strategic partnership built on trust and long-term commitment, assuring that Moscow is ready to resolve any difficulties in a mutually satisfactory way. Babushkin confirmed that Russia will deliver the remaining S-400 missile systems as per schedule and revealed that President Putin is expected to visit India by the end of the year, a development he said reflects the depth of their bilateral ties.
