Balancing Interests

India’s energy diplomacy has reached an inflection point.

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The steady rise of Russian oil in India’s import basket, once seen as smart economics, now carries heavier geopolitical baggage. What began as a pragmatic response to Western sanctions on Moscow has evolved into a high-stakes balancing act, one that tests India’s claim to strategic autonomy as well as its credibility on the global stage.

The argument in Delhi is straightforward: India’s energy choices are guided by the welfare of its citizens. As the world’s third-largest oil importer, India cannot afford to ignore discounted Russian crude that saves billions of dollars and helps contain fuel prices at home.