Russia has openly praised India for its unwavering reluctance to give in to pressure from the West, particularly the US, over its ongoing diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow. The praise highlights India’s strategic balancing act on the global stage.
What Did Russia’s Foreign Ministry Say?
In a strong statement to the Russian state-owned network RT, Russia’s Foreign Ministry explicitly thanked India for its independent stance. The ministry stated, “We welcome the fact that India, despite pressure and threats, demonstrates a determination to continue and develop multi-faceted cooperation with Russia.”
The officials expressed confidence in the strength of the bilateral relationship, noting that “Relations between India and Russia are ‘steadily and confidently advancing.'” They dismissed U.S. efforts to influence New Delhi’s policy, asserting, “We are convinced that attempts to impose someone else’s will on India are doomed to fail.”
What is the Source of the US-India Tension?
The core of the dispute is India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, a policy the U.S. strongly opposes as it seeks to cut off funding for Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. As a result, India has been subject to severe economic sanctions by the Trump administration.
What are the specific US actions?
The U.S. has enacted 50% tariffs on select Indian exports entering American markets. A significant portion of this—25%—is a direct penalty for India’s purchase of Russian oil. These tariffs, which began on August 27, are severely impacting India’s labor-intensive export sectors, including shrimp, textiles, leather, and footwear.
How Has India Responded to the US Tariffs?
India has firmly rejected the U.S. measures. New Delhi has officially described the tariffs as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” In order to secure affordable energy for its economy, the Indian government has continuously defended its energy policy, arguing that it is entirely motivated by market forces and national interest when it purchases oil from Russia.
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What is the Bigger Picture for India’s Foreign Policy?
Russia’s statement underscores India’s commitment to a non-aligned, sovereign foreign policy. “New Delhi’s posture on the international scene… clearly illustrates the constancy of its sovereignly established approach to cooperation with Moscow,” the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized.
This comes as the U.S. intensifies its campaign, recently urging G7 countries to impose similar tariffs on any nation purchasing Russian oil. U.S. officials argue that only these “unified efforts” can cut off funding to Moscow and apply sufficient pressure to end the conflict in Ukraine.
The situation places India in a complex position, caught between its long-standing strategic partner, Russia, and its major QUAD ally and trading partner, the United States.
