Can India balance its ties between Russia and the US?

"New Delhi is deepening economic ties with Moscow, despite pressure from Washington."

"Despite pressure from the United States, it has continued buying cheap Russian oil and has recently strengthened economic ties with Russia from trade to weapons and critical minerals."

"But this is a delicate balancing act for Prime Minister Narendra Modi: he wants to cut deals with Moscow, while staying friends with Washington, his biggest trading partner."

"For President Vladimir Putin, it shows Russia still has powerful partners and is not completely isolated despite Western sanctions."

India is expanding economic engagement with Russia across trade, energy, defense, and critical minerals while facing diplomatic pressure from the United States. Continued purchases of discounted Russian oil underpin New Delhi's energy security strategy even as strategic partnerships deepen through arms deals and mineral cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is navigating a complex balance between securing favorable Moscow agreements and preserving the strategic relationship with Washington, India's largest trading partner. For Vladimir Putin, sustained ties with India signal that Russia retains influential global partners despite Western sanctions. Regional and global implications include shifted trade patterns and evolving geopolitical alignments.

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