True friendship is proven not in easy times, but when India faced its biggest crises.
Here are the Top 10 Friends of India, ranked by real loyalty, historic sacrifices, and recent solid actions — not just nice words.

1. France 🇫🇷

Below are the reasons why France is India’s top friend:

• 1974: Refused to condemn India after its first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha).
• 1998: After India’s second nuclear tests (Pokhran-II), France did not cut ties like many Western powers.
• 2020-21: Delivered Rafale fighter jets to India during the Ladakh crisis.
• COVID-19: Sent oxygen plants and medical equipment when India’s healthcare system was collapsing.
• Consistently supports India’s UNSC permanent membership bid.

👉 France stands with India when it matters most — in defense, diplomacy, and disaster.

2. Russia 🇷🇺

Below are the reasons why Russia is India’s top friend:

• 1971 War: When US and UK aircraft carriers moved toward India to support Pakistan, the Soviet Union (Russia) sent nuclear submarines and cruisers to intercept — forcing the fleets to back off.
  ➔ This military support directly enabled India’s victory and Bangladesh’s creation.
• Defense: Supplied India with critical weapons like MiGs, tanks, S-400s despite sanctions threats.
• Diplomatic: Always supported India’s Kashmir position in the UN.
• Energy: Helped India with discounted oil during the global crisis post-Ukraine war.

👉 Russia proved its loyalty when India’s very survival was at stake.

3. Israel 🇮🇱

Below are the reasons why Israel is India’s top friend:

• 1999 Kargil War:
  ➔ Supplied laser-guidance kits to modify Indian bombs for precision strikes.
  ➔ Provided basic reconnaissance drones (“Searcher UAVs”) to spot enemy bunkers along the difficult mountain terrain.
• Counter-terrorism: Continuous intelligence-sharing and special forces training.
• COVID-19: Sent advanced ventilators and medical equipment when India needed emergency support.
• Defense: Co-developed Barak-8 air defense systems with India.

👉 Israel shows friendship through swift action, not just words.

4. United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪

Below are the reasons why UAE is India’s top friend:

• 2019: Broke precedent by inviting India to the OIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as a Guest of Honour.
• Signed CEPA free trade agreement (first of its kind for India in over a decade).
• COVID-19 Aid: Sent tankers full of liquid medical oxygen and PPE kits.
• Investments: Billions invested in Indian startups, infrastructure, renewable energy.

👉 UAE values India’s friendship beyond religion or regional politics.

5. Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

Below are the reasons why Saudi Arabia is India’s top friend:

• 2019: Refused to join Pakistan’s anti-India push post-Article 370 abrogation.
• Created the India–Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.
• COVID-19 Help: Sent 80 metric tons of oxygen and critical supplies during India’s second wave.
• Indian Community: Actively protects the rights of 2.5 million Indian workers.

👉 Saudi Arabia respects India’s leadership in South Asia and beyond.

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6. Australia 🇦🇺

Below are the reasons why Australia is India’s top friend:

• 2020: Signed the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, boosting military cooperation.
• Quad Membership: Australia works with India, US, and Japan to ensure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
• COVID-19 Support: Sent vital oxygen supplies and ventilators.
• Education Ties: Thousands of Indian students now study and work in Australia.

👉 Australia trusts India as a fellow democratic giant.

7. Bhutan 🇧🇹

Below are the reasons why Bhutan is India’s top friend:

• 1962: Supported India diplomatically during the Sino-Indian War.
• 2017 Doklam Crisis:
  ➔ Bhutan raised the alarm about Chinese road construction.
  ➔ India immediately responded militarily to protect Bhutanese sovereignty.
• Military: Indian Army trains Bhutanese forces.
• Economy: India is Bhutan’s largest aid and trade partner.

👉 Bhutan and India are bound by blood, trust, and geography.

8. Mauritius 🇲🇺

Below are the reasons why Mauritius is India’s top friend:

• Always votes with India in international organizations.
• Defense: India donated ships, radar systems, and trained their Coast Guard.
• Infrastructure: India helped Mauritius build key institutions like the Supreme Court.
• COVID-19: Mauritius was among the first to receive India’s vaccines under Vaccine Maitri.

👉 Mauritius depends on and defends India internationally.

9. Seychelles 🇸🇨

Below are the reasons why Seychelles is India’s top friend:

• Maritime Radar Project: India built radar stations covering the Western Indian Ocean.
• Defense: Donated patrol vessels and defense training.
• COVID-19 Support: India sent vaccines and medical aid early on.
• Strategic Presence: Seychelles supports India’s leadership in the Indian Ocean against Chinese influence.

👉 Seychelles quietly but firmly bets on India for its security.

10. Armenia 🇦🇲

Below are the reasons why Armenia is India’s top friend:

• Defense: Armenia bought Indian Pinaka rocket launchers, Akash missile systems, and SWATHI radars.
• Diplomatic: Supports India’s positions globally, especially against Pakistan’s agenda.
• Economic Cooperation: New trade routes, infrastructure projects under discussion.

👉 Armenia trusts India as a stabilizer in an increasingly volatile region.

Final Thoughts

From Russia’s warships in 1971, to Israel’s bombs in Kargil, to France’s oxygen during COVID, these top 10 friendly countries have stood by India when it mattered most — with courage, sacrifice, and loyalty. In the storm of geopolitics, these are India’s anchors.

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