The European Union’s top diplomat has warned that India’s growing ties with Russia could hinder its efforts to forge a closer partnership with New Delhi. Despite actively seeking a trade deal and stronger defense bonds with India, the EU’s foreign policy chief stated that India’s continued purchases of Russian oil and participation in Moscow’s military drills are obstacles to cooperation.
The EU wants to defend the “rules-based international order” and sees India’s actions as contrary to that goal. However, the bloc acknowledges that a complete break between India and Russia is unlikely and that both sides need to discuss the issues. The warning comes after India, along with other Russian allies like Iran, participated in Russia’s Zapad (West) joint military exercises, some of which were near NATO borders.
Trade and Tariffs
India’s decision to become a major buyer of Russian oil has saved it billions of dollars while providing Russia with a much-needed export market after the war in Ukraine. This has created tension with the United States. US President Donald Trump recently increased tariffs on most Indian exports by 50% in retaliation for the continued oil purchases. He also urged the EU to impose its own high tariffs on India and China to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.
Despite these tensions, the EU and India are still pursuing a free trade agreement, with hopes to conclude talks by the end of 2025. The EU is already India’s largest trading partner, with trade between them growing by 90% over the past decade. Senior officials from both sides are expected to meet for a high-level summit early next year.
Putin-Modi Friendship
Amid the pressure from the US and EU, Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone and hailed their “exceptionally trustful and friendly” relations. This phone call came just a day after Modi had a discussion with Trump regarding the Ukraine conflict and tariffs. Modi reaffirmed his commitment to “further strengthening our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” with Russia and stated that India is ready to contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The phone call highlighted the strong personal and strategic ties that continue to exist between the two nations, despite Western sanctions on Moscow.
