The contemporary global geopolitical landscape is marked by shifting alignments, sanctions regimes and growing strategic uncertainty. Its impact is pervasive and disconcerting, especially in the energy security domain, marked by supply chain disruptions. Additionally, tariff restrictions and the use of economic interdependence as a strategic tool to assert pre-eminence have given rise to an alarming environment characterised by systemic volatility, economic instability and geopolitical unpredictability. To navigate this world adrift, cultivating and sustaining institutional trust have become increasingly vital in international engagements. Against this backdrop, India’s energy partnership with Russia continues to demonstrate diplomatic endurance in international affairs and a resilient bilateral engagement anchored in institutional depth, long-term cooperation and pragmatic alignment of interests. Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin (Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via Reuters) India’s vision of economic development and trajectory makes energy security a foundational concern. The country’s manufacturing ambitions, expanding digital infrastructure, data centres, transport electrification and urbanisation are placing sustained pressure on the grid. Ensuring uninterrupted and affordable supply of energy is, therefore, an operational imperative connected directly to economic growth, investment flows …