President Joe Biden’s effort to unite the world against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is being thwarted not only by adversaries such as China, but also by India, the world’s most populous democracy.
As India’s economy struggles to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, a government official said on Friday that the country will increase its imports of Russian oil, allowing it to boost energy supplies at a lower cost. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to reporters, said the most recent purchase was three million barrels.
Despite the fact that India is not alone in purchasing Russian energy — several European allies, including Germany, have done so — the decision runs counter to Biden’s efforts to isolate Russia’s economy through sanctions.
The increased flow of oil could put more strain on the US-India relationship, which has already been put to the test by India’s recent purchase of advanced Russian air defence systems.
The White House is still debating whether or not to impose penalties on India as a result of the purchase. According to a US official familiar with the Biden administration’s deliberations, the issue is being looked at with a “different spin” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To discuss internal decision-making, the official spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The oil deal serves as a reminder of how Biden’s geopolitical balancing act has been complicated by the conflict in Ukraine. He sees India as a critical partner in countering China’s rising influence in Asia, even as he tries to rally countries to oppose Russia’s invasion.
Russia has long been a source of friction between the United States and India, but the White House believes the two democracies share more in common than they do differences.
India is a member of the Quad, an international partnership that includes the United States, Australia, and Japan, and the leaders of all four countries will meet in Tokyo this year.
Despite his questionable human rights record, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to Biden’s virtual summit on democracy in December.
Biden described the struggle between democracy and autocracy as the “defining challenge of our time” during the summit. India “stands ready to join fellow democracies in this noble endeavour,” Modi said.
The White House has publicly warned China against siding with Russia in Ukraine’s conflict, but it has been more cautious when it comes to India’s role.
Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said Wednesday that the US and India “remain in touch through a variety of channels.”
When asked about India’s interest in purchasing discounted Russian oil the day before, Psaki said the US message to “any country” is to “consider where you want to stand when the history books are written.”
India imports 85 percent of its oil, and its overall demand is expected to rise 8.2 percent this year to 5.15 million barrels per day.
According to Indian media reports, Russia is offering a 20% discount on oil purchases when compared to global benchmark prices.
“We are exploring all options in the global energy market,” Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for India’s External Affairs Ministry, said on Thursday. “I don’t believe Russia has been India’s primary oil supplier.”
India’s relationship with Russia is focused on defence rather than energy. Russia provides the majority of India’s military hardware but only a small portion of its oil.
“It’s critical for India’s military readiness, especially given their ongoing border crisis with China,” said Richard Rossow of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, who specialises in the US-India relationship. Twenty Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed in a territorial dispute over eastern Ladakh less than two years ago.
The Russian embassy in New Dehli responded by saying it “highly appreciate(s) India’s independent and balanced position” after India abstained from a UN Security Council vote condemning the invasion of Ukraine.
Former US ambassador to India Ken Juster said the South Asian country “believes in strategic autonomy” and is unlikely to align neatly on either side in East-West conflicts.
As the war in Ukraine continues, he expects New Delhi to face increased pressure.
“As Russia’s atrocities become more visible and widespread, India will face an increasingly difficult situation,” he said. “Any country that does not condemn this is going to have a hard time.”
The situation, according to Biden, is still a work in progress.
Biden was asked shortly after Russia’s invasion began if India is “fully in sync” with the US on Russia.
“We’re in consultation” with India, he said, adding, “we haven’t settled that totally.”
