At a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has mounted economic pressure on India over its continued engagement with Russia, New Delhi has made it clear that it will not bow down to Washington’s threats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, sent a strong message that India will pursue its strategic and economic interests independently.
Russia Offers Bigger Discounts Amid Tariff Heat
Despite U.S. sanctions and tariffs, Russia has extended deeper discounts to India on crude oil. Moscow has increased the rebate to $3–$4 per barrel, up from $2.50 last week and just $1 in July 2025. This move strengthens India’s position as one of Russia’s key energy partners, especially as Western nations attempt to cut off Moscow from global energy markets.
Indian refiners like Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and MRPL are showing strong interest in increasing purchases. Reports suggest India’s imports of Russian oil could rise by 10–20% in September, adding up to 1.5–3 lakh more barrels per day compared to August. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that India’s oil trade decisions are driven by its national interest and have also contributed to stabilizing global energy markets.
India Strengthens Defense Partnership with Russia
Alongside energy, India’s defense partnership with Russia is expanding. According to Russian news agency TASS, India has already received deliveries of the S-400 Triumf Air Defense System under the 2018 deal. The final two units are expected to be handed over in 2026 and 2027.
Talks are also underway for India to procure additional S-400 systems and possibly the advanced Su-57 fighter jets. In the last five years alone, Russia has delivered $13 billion worth of defense equipment to India. Moreover, New Delhi currently has pending orders worth $10 billion, highlighting the depth of the military partnership.
Between 2020 and 2024, Russia accounted for 36% of India’s total arms imports, followed by France (33%) and Israel (13%).
Trump’s Pressure Backfires
The U.S. has slapped 50% tariffs on Indian imports in retaliation for New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases. But instead of backing down, India has diversified its energy and defense engagements with Moscow. Experts see this as a strategic pushback, underlining that India will not allow external pressures to dictate its national priorities.
also read – “China and India Are Global Economic Powers”: Putin Targets Trump Amid Tariff Tensions
