Trump’s Iran war pushes India to rekindle old friendship with Russia
Why it matters: India's renewed energy ties with Russia challenge Western sanctions and reshape global energy geopolitics.
- India is deepening energy cooperation with Russia, agreeing to prepare for Russia to resume direct sales of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the first time since the Ukraine war, according to two people familiar with the matter.
- Indian and Russian officials also agreed to further increase crude oil sales to India, potentially doubling from January's levels to at least 40% of India’s total imports within a month, as reported by three sources.
- India became a major buyer of discounted Russian crude after the invasion of Ukraine, purchasing nearly US$44 billion in 2025, a point of contention with the Trump administration.
- India has approached Washington about a possible sanctions waiver for LNG purchases, according to one source and a second person familiar with the request, while India's foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed talks with several countries for energy supplies.
- Former Indian ambassador to Moscow, Ajai Malhotra, stated that India chose the course that best served its national interests, anchored in a long-standing partnership with Russia.
India is rekindling its energy partnership with Russia, with plans to double crude oil imports and resume direct LNG sales, despite earlier concessions to the US and potential Western sanctions violations. This move, driven by skyrocketing energy prices and a desire to secure supplies amid geopolitical shifts, highlights India's strategic balancing act between its long-standing ties with Russia and its relationship with the US.
