India faced backlash for significantly increasing imports of Russian fossil fuels amid the Ukraine conflict, with a tenfold jump in 2022 and doubling again in 2021, despite funding accusations.
India's justification for the surge in imports rests on established friendly ties with Moscow, heavy dependence on imported oil, and the substantial coal imports from Russia, which rose threefold in a two-year span.
As Indian PM Modi and Russian President Putin plan to meet, Russia aims to strengthen trade ties with India to offset the impact of Western sanctions, with both sides expressing interest in enhancing economic cooperation.
India navigates a delicate balance between bolstering relations with the West, establishing new trade partnerships with Moscow, and maintaining a neutral stance in the Ukraine conflict, presenting challenges and opportunities in its foreign policy approach.
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