Russia’s determination to maintain oil sales to India despite mounting US pressure reveals Moscow’s strategic pivot toward Asian energy partnerships that could reshape global trade dynamics. The Kremlin’s simultaneous push for trilateral talks with India and China signals an ambitious attempt to forge a “greater Eurasian partnership” that challenges Western economic dominance.
Russia maintains profitable oil partnerships despite escalating American sanctions pressure
This coordinated diplomatic and economic offensive comes as Trump’s tariff threats force India to reconsider its energy sourcing, potentially disrupting established supply chains.
Russia expects to continue supplying oil to India despite warnings from the United States, Russian embassy officials in New Delhi said on Wednesday, adding that Moscow hopes trilateral talks will soon take place with India and China.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an additional tariff of 25% on Indian goods exported to the U.S. from August 27, as a punishment for buying Russian oil, which constitutes 35% of India’s total imports compared with a negligible 0.2% before the Ukraine war.
“I want to highlight that despite the political situation, we can predict that the same level of oil import (by India),” Roman Babushkin, the charge d’affaires at the Russian embassy in India, told a press briefing.
He predicted India and Russia would find ways to overcome Trump’s latest tariffs in their “national interests”.
Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said separately that Russia saw scope for supplies of liquefied natural gas to India.
“We continue to ship fuel, including crude oil and oil products, thermal and coking coal. We see potential for the export of Russian LNG,” Manturov was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.
Trump’s tariff strategy fails to break Russia-India energy cooperation
Trade talks between India and the U.S. broke down over the opening up of India’s vast farm and dairy sectors, as well as its purchases of Russian oil. The total tariff announced on Indian goods entering the U.S. is 50%.
The Indian foreign ministry did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment.
It has previously been said that the U.S. decision to single out India for Russian purchases was “extremely unfortunate”.
Russia’s Deputy Trade Commissioner Evgeny Griva on Wednesday said buying oil from Russia is “very profitable” for India, which will not want to change its supplier.
On average, Russia gives a 5%-7% discount to Indian buyers, he said, adding that Russia has a “very, very special mechanism” to continue oil supplies to India.
Trilateral partnership reveals Russia’s grand Eurasian integration strategy
As tensions between Washington and New Delhi rise, high-profile visits from New Delhi and Beijing in recent weeks have raised hopes on the part of the Asian neighbours that ties damaged by a 2020 border clash can be repaired.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to visit China for the first time in over seven years later this month.
At the same time, Russia is trying to revive long-standing plans for a trilateral meeting with India and China to help them forge a “greater Eurasian partnership”.
“As far as the trilateral is concerned, we are quite hopeful that this format will be resumed sooner rather than later because its importance is not questioned,” Babushkin said.
How Putin’s diplomatic calendar reinforces Moscow’s commitment to asian partnerships
“This is closely linked to the Russian initiative of the establishment of the greater Eurasian partnership,” Babushkin said.
Russia’s systematic approach to strengthening Asian partnerships through high-level diplomatic engagement demonstrates Moscow’s long-term commitment to reducing dependence on Western markets and institutions.
The convergence of bilateral meetings, multilateral summits, and economic agreements creates a comprehensive framework for deeper integration that transcends temporary political pressures. Putin’s involvement in these initiatives signals that Russia views Asian partnerships as fundamental to its future prosperity and global influence.
GCN.com/Reuters