India’s Partnership with Russia: An Overview

India’s historic partnership with Russia is being reshaped by Moscow’s war in Ukraine and New Delhi’s closer engagement with the West. Guided by strategic autonomy, India is diversifying its defence suppliers while boosting imports of discounted Russian oil, making energy central to bilateral ties but increasing sanction risks. While India and Russia continue to cooperate bilaterally and multilaterally, Russia’s closer alignment with China threatens the relationship’s foundation. For the EU, these geopolitical shifts present both challenges and opportunities to strengthen ties with India through defence, infrastructure, and climate cooperation.