India has long prided itself on its non-aligned foreign policy, often positioning itself as a bridge between East and West. However, in recent years, India’s behavior has become increasingly erratic and self-serving, particularly with regard to its historic partnership with Russia. This shift has cast a long shadow over India’s reliability as a global partner and raised serious questions about its commitment to long-standing alliances. Rather than maintaining stable relationships, India’s recent actions suggest a willingness to abandon or bypass key partners at will – a policy that reeks of opportunism, as the country distances itself from Russia in favor of closer ties with the United States and other Western nations.
Historically, India has been a dependable partner for Russia, relying on Moscow for defense technology, energy resources, and geopolitical support. Yet, recent developments show India playing a dangerous game of diplomatic balancing, sending contradictory signals to the world. India’s stance on the ongoing war in Ukraine, while officially neutral, has raised eyebrows. In an act that undercuts its claims of impartiality, India continues to buy discounted Russian oil, thereby tacitly supporting Moscow’s economy while simultaneously condemning the war in public forums.
This hedging strategy has become increasingly difficult to justify. On the one hand, India insists on its non-alignment, but on the other, it aligns itself ever more closely with the US and other Western powers, most notably through the Quad(Quadrilateral Security Dialogue). The Quad, which includes the United States, Japan, and Australia, is designed to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific – a region where Russia, traditionally a partner to China, also maintains interests. For India to be a part of this Western-led initiative and simultaneously try to maintain its strategic ties with Russia exposes a glaring contradiction in its foreign policy.
A Sham of Neutrality: Bypassing Western Sanctions
India’s continued purchase of Russian oil in the face of sweeping Western sanctions is perhaps the clearest example of how it is selectively maneuvering its way through international norms. While the US and European countries have imposed harsh sanctions on Russia, India has eagerly capitalized on discounted Russian oil, a move that is as strategically beneficial for India as it is diplomatically questionable. This behavior shows a blatant disregard for global consensus, allowing India to profit from the situation while maintaining a facade of neutrality.
Furthermore, while India publicly refrains from directly imposing sanctions on Russia, it has quietly bypassed Western sanctions, engaging in multibillion-dollar deals with Moscow. India’s continued arms purchases, even while the West ramped up its military support for Ukraine, have only intensified the perception that India is playing both sides – reaping the rewards of its ties with the US and Western powers while still nurturing its relationship with Russia under the radar.
The Waning of the Russian Defense Umbrella
The erosion of India’s defense dependence on Russia has been gradual but unmistakable. India, once a major buyer of Russian military hardware, has increasingly turned its attention towards Western alternatives. A prime example of this shift came in 2016 when India signed a deal with France to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets, opting for Western technology over Russian aircraft such as the Sukhoi or MiG. This was not an isolated case; India has progressively distanced itself from Russian arms deals and defense technology.
Moreover, India’s decision to pull out of the Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft project with Russia further signals the end of an era. By abandoning this project, India effectively signaled that it no longer views Russia as its most reliable defense partner. Instead, India is investing heavily in American defense systems such as Apache and Chinook helicopters, P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, and is in the process of acquiring the highly advanced MQ-9 Reaper drones. These choices, far from being driven by any urgent security need, reflect a calculated alignment with Western defense priorities — a shift that further complicates its relationship with Moscow.
A Shifting Geostrategic Landscape
India’s embrace of COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) and BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) with the US underscores the growing strategic and defense ties between New Delhi and Washington. These agreements, which facilitate closer cooperation and intelligence sharing between the two countries, are a far cry from the mutual respect and trust India once had with Russia. These agreements demonstrate how India is increasingly becoming a military partner of the US, not only distorting its diplomatic identity but also moving away from the very systems of defense and security that it once relied upon.
India’s involvement in joint military exercises with the US, Japan, and Australia – such as the Malabar Exercise – further alienates Russia, whose strategic priorities in the Indo-Pacific are vastly different from India’s. Russia has never fully embraced the idea of countering China in the way that the US and its allies have. Therefore, India’s increasingly prominent role in military maneuvers aimed at containing Chinese power in the region places it at odds with Russian strategic interests. It is clear that India’s position in the Indo-Pacific – supported by the West – is not aligned with Russia’s broader global strategy.
Economic Betrayal: The US and EU Over Russia
India’s economic reorientation is equally concerning for Russia. Trade with Russia, which stood at US$ 61.4 billion in 2024, is being dwarfed by India’s booming trade with the United States, which surged to US$ 77.52 billion in the same year, up from US$ 40.77 billion in 2023. The rapid increase in trade with the US signals India’s increasing economic and geopolitical integration with Western nations, leaving Russia behind in the dust. This shift is not only a blow to Russia’s economic influence but also a reflection of India’s pragmatic, if opportunistic, approach to foreign policy.
India has also deepened its economic engagement with the European Union and other Western nations. The diversification of its economic partnerships has allowed India to secure critical technologies and investments, aligning its future with the West rather than with Russia.
India’s foreign policy, once seen as a careful balancing act, now increasingly appears driven by self-interest and opportunism. By embracing the West while continuing to benefit from its ties with Russia – without fully committing to either – India has turned its diplomacy into a game of convenience. The growing divergence between India and Russia highlights a broader trend in India’s approach to international relations: it will choose whatever serves its national interests at the moment, regardless of past alliances, international norms, or consistency.
This shift may serve India’s short-term goals, but it risks undermining its long-term credibility as a reliable partner. By distancing itself from Russia and aligning more closely with the US and Western powers, India may be securing economic and strategic gains, but it is also creating a dangerous precedent: one where long-standing partnerships are discarded at will for the sake of immediate advantage. Such a policy risks alienating key global players and damaging India’s reputation as a dependable ally on the world stage.