NEW DELHI – India has executed a crucial diplomatic maneuver, securing major energy deals with both Russia and the United States, effectively setting its own strategic agenda despite mounting pressure from Washington.
This development follows threats from President Donald Trump, who strongly criticized India for purchasing discounted Russian oil and hinted at imposing tariffs on India and sanctions on Russia.
Russia Ties Reaffirmed Amid U.S. Pressure
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Moscow. The official Minutes of Meeting (MoM) released afterward conveyed a strong message of deepening bilateral ties.
Jaishankar confirmed that India and Russia are working to finalize several bilateral agreements, initiatives, and projects ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit next month.
“Our meeting was very important. Every issue was discussed here,” Jaishankar stated. “The development and progress of India-Russia relations is not only in our mutual interest but is also important for the world.”
The ministers also discussed complex global situations, including the conflict in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. On Ukraine, Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for peace efforts and expressed hope that all parties would work constructively toward achieving peace.
Lavrov emphasized Moscow’s steps to strengthen economic cooperation with Delhi and develop a mechanism to shield their trade from Western sanctions and “unfair intervention.”
The Strategic Energy Play
Jaishankar’s visit occurred amid renewed U.S. pressure on India to reduce its purchase of Russian energy products and military equipment. While there have been reports of a recent decline in Russian crude oil imports to India, the country has balanced this by making a significant commitment to the U.S.
On Monday, India announced that state-owned companies had signed a one-year agreement to import 2.2 million tonnes per annum of LPG gas from the United States.
This move signals a strategic shift: India is securing its energy needs from the U.S. with gas while simultaneously reaffirming its enduring relationship with Russia for oil and other trade—a stance that directly defies Trump’s expressed desire for India to switch from cheaper Russian oil to more expensive oil from Washington.
Geopolitical Discussions
The ministers’ focus on Afghanistan and Ukraine highlights the global implications of the India-Russia relationship:
-
Afghanistan: India has a decades-long history of implementing development projects in Afghanistan, and the ongoing instability, particularly with Trump threatening to occupy Bagram Air Base, remains a major regional concern.
-
Ukraine: Jaishankar’s support for peace efforts comes as the economic and strategic fallout from the Ukraine conflict continues to impact U.S. policy, with Donald Trump reportedly eager to end the U.S.-funded war there as quickly as possible.
India’s dual-track approach demonstrates a commitment to maintaining its strategic autonomy and acting in its own national interest amidst a volatile global environment.
