Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that India's energy imports from Russia continue to set new records every month, with no signs of a slowdown — a statement that underscores the deepening energy ties between the two nations even as Western sanctions pressure Moscow. Peskov's remarks came during a virtual briefing with Indian journalists held ahead of the BRICS Summit scheduled in New Delhi this week.

Record Energy Flows, No Figures Disclosed

Peskov declined to share specific volume data, saying, 'I don't want to give you any figures for understandable reasons, but every month we have a new record.' The statement, while deliberately vague, signals that India's discounted Russian crude purchases — which surged sharply after Western nations imposed energy sanctions on Moscow following the Ukraine conflict — have not tapered off. India has emerged as one of Russia's largest oil customers since 2022, a shift that has drawn scrutiny from the United States and European Union.

Rupee Payment Backlog Being Resolved

Peskov also addressed the long-standing issue of accumulated rupee payments in India-Russia bilateral trade, stating that the matter is 'gradually being resolved.' The rupee-rouble settlement mechanism, while operationally active, has faced friction due to Russia's limited appetite for rupee-denominated assets and restrictions on converting rupees into other currencies. The resolution of this bottleneck is seen as critical to sustaining and expanding bilateral trade volumes.

Rare Earths, Su-57 Fighter Jet on Bilateral Agenda

Beyond energy, Peskov said the two countries are in active discussions on closer cooperation in the exploration of rare earths — a strategic domain where both nations hold significant interest amid a global scramble for critical minerals. He also confirmed that the potential sale of Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet to India remains on the bilateral agenda, though he did not indicate how advanced those talks are. India's defence procurement decisions have historically been subject to extended evaluation cycles, and the Su-57 has been under consideration alongside competing Western platforms.

On BRICS Currency Shift and De-Dollarisation

Peskov pushed back against characterisations of BRICS's shift toward national currencies as a deliberate de-dollarisation drive. 'We do not want to claim any de-dollarisation policy. We're simply doing what better corresponds with our national interests,' he said. He attributed the move to Western pressure, noting that Russia was denied access to the dollar and euro following sanctions. 'If they don't let us use their money, we use our own money,' Peskov said, adding that Russia remains open to every acceptable method of payment.

Putin-Modi Bilateral and BRICS Summit Outlook

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to participate in the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12-13 September, with security, economy, finance, and culture among the key themes. Putin is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, with trade and economy forming a substantial part of the agenda. India holds the BRICS Presidency in 2026 under the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.' The grouping now counts 11 full members — including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE — alongside 10 partner countries such as Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. For India, the expanded BRICS footprint presents an opportunity to strengthen exports, attract investment, diversify supply chains, and advance technology partnerships within a multipolar economic framework.