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Russia-India energy tensions
During his two-day state visit to New Delhi, President Vladimir Putin publicly accused the United States of punishing India over its purchases of discounted Russian oil.
“Putin used a state visit to Delhi to push back at Western limits on buying Russian fuel, asking why India should be barred if the US can.”
He questioned why New Delhi should be barred from buying Russian fuel while Washington itself continues purchases of energy supplies linked to Russia.
Putin used the visit to push back against Western measures, framed Russia as a reliable supplier, and pledged uninterrupted shipments of oil and gas as a hedge against external pressure.
Indian officials defended the purchases as energy-security decisions amid mounting U.S. sanctions and tariffs.
India's Russian crude imports
Reports highlighted energy figures and commercial stakes: India imported roughly 1.8 million barrels per day of discounted Russian crude, about 36% of its oil imports in 2024, and analysts estimated refiners saved significant sums per barrel by buying discounted grades.
That scale helps explain why many Indian refiners and exporters had to reassess purchases after U.S. sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil and the imposition of punitive tariffs, with some firms, including Reliance, saying they would stop exporting products made from Russian crude.
India-Russia summit agreements
That backdrop shaped the ceremonial and policy parts of the summit, with Putin receiving a warm, high-profile welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Multiple memorandums were signed and a broad economic and strategic agenda was set, but no major new defence purchases were announced.”
The two leaders signed a suite of memorandums and an Economic Cooperation Programme through 2030 covering defence, shipping, health, labour mobility and energy.
Moscow pushed to deepen defence cooperation, including S-400 deliveries, potential Su-57 collaboration and logistics pacts.
Both sides publicly set a $100-billion trade target by 2030 and discussed joint projects in nuclear energy and critical minerals.
U.S. sanctions and tariffs
U.S. measures — sanctions on Russian energy firms and punitive tariffs on Indian goods — featured prominently in international coverage as both motive and pressure point.
Several Western outlets described the U.S. tariff actions, including reported 50% levies, and sanctions on companies such as Rosneft and Lukoil as steps to curb Moscow's oil revenue and dissuade buyers.
Indian and Russian officials framed those moves as extraneous interference that risked harming global trade and energy security.
India's balancing act
Analysts and regional commentators warned that the visit crystallised India's tightrope diplomacy, as New Delhi seeks affordable energy, defence supplies and technological ties with Moscow while deepening strategic and commercial links with the West.
“The agreements are consequential but fragile: their durability hinges on India’s continued purchases and tolerance of Western pressure and on Russia’s capacity to meet commitments amid sanctions.”
Some analysts and think-tanks described the summit as a practical reset that lessened Russia's isolation but left both countries exposed to supply risks and reputational costs, while Indian outlets emphasised strategic autonomy and the need to protect trade and jobs.
Coverage therefore split between warnings about sanctions fallout and portrayals of a pragmatic partnership pivoting toward joint production, energy security and a 2030 trade roadmap.