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Russian President Vladimir Putin used his India Today interview to underline that the India-Russia partnership is anchored in national interest, not in rivalry with any third country, even as Washington turns increasingly confrontational toward both capitals, India Today reported. 

Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a two-day summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hours before their meeting, the Russian leader defended the trajectory of the relationship and pushed back at the United States' pressure. "Neither I nor Prime Minister Modi, despite certain external pressures we face, have ever approached our collaboration to work against someone," he said when asked about Washington's aggressive approach, according to India Today. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday presented a Russian edition of the Bhagavad Gita to President Vladimir Putin, calling the sacred text a source of inspiration for millions across the world, India Today reported. 

Modi shared the moment on X, posting a photograph in which both leaders are seen holding the book during their meeting in Delhi.

“Presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin. The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world,” the Prime Minister wrote, underlining the scripture’s universal appeal, according to India Today. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned Washington’s stance on India’s oil purchases from Moscow, pointing to US imports of Russian nuclear fuel as he began a state visit aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations, Aljazeera reported.

Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening to a warm airport reception from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who embraced the Russian leader in a rare gesture that underscored their personal rapport.

The visit comes as India faces mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has imposed punitive tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s purchases of discounted Russian crude, according to Aljazeera.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, aiming to boost trade with the top buyer of Russia’s arms and seaborne oil as Western sanctions squeeze their decades-old ties, Reuters reported.

Putin is on his first visit to India in four years at a time when New Delhi is engaged in talks with the U.S. for a trade deal to cut punitive tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on its goods over India’s Russian oil purchases.

Moscow has been India’s top arms supplier for decades and has said that it wants to import more Indian goods in an effort to grow trade to $100 billion by 2030 that so far has been skewed in its favour due to New Delhi’s energy imports, according to Reuters.