Balancing ties with America and Russia

Indo-Russia ties have been an enigma for the US.

- HARSHA KAKAR

Russia has been a reliable ally for decades as compared to the US, which tilts depending on policies of the current administration.In 2000, India and Russia signed a declaration converting their relationship into astrategic partnership and in 2010 into a ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.’ Trade was low, largely based on military hardware. The scenario changed post the Ukraine war and imposition of sanctions on Russia.

India’s oil procurements from Russia increased since the Ukraine war due to discounts, and reached US $64 billion in 2024-25. President Donald Trump then imposed 25 per cent additional tariffs on India for procuring Russian oil. Last week, in an interview with TV BRICS, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned, “US is trying to ban India and our other partners from buying cheap, affordable Russian energy resources.” Earlier this month Trump said that India had agreed to stop procuring Russian oil, believing it “would help end the war in Ukraine.” Lavrov countered, “No one other than Trump has claimed that India plans to stop buying Russian oil.” India may have scaled down procurements, but there are no indicators that these have stopped.

Trump targeted India but not China for procuring Russian oil, because Beijing possesses leverage which India lacks, rare earth minerals, essential for the US. Washington is desperately attempting to break this stranglehold. Further, sanctioning China could impact supply chains, resulting in increased inflation in the US. Added is Trump’s belief that President Xi Jinping holds greater sway over Russian President Vladimir Putin than Prime Minister Modi.

Trump could pressure India because the Indian economy remains dependent on Western markets, technology and funding. By inking the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with the EU and other nations, thereby expanding its markets, India has been able to offset the tariffs imposed by the US.