Attempts to Break India-Russia Ties Destined to Fail: Moscow Amid Trump Pressure

By R Anil Kumar

• The Russian Foreign Ministry praised India for standing firm against constant pressure from the US and Nato to stop purchasing oil from Russia, and for continuing its commitments despite threats, warning that any attempt to disturb the ties is “destined to fail.”

• Amid Donald Trump’s pressure on other countries to impose US-like tariffs on Indian goods for continuing to buy Russian oil, Moscow on Sunday said its relationship with Delhi is time-tested and progressing “steadily,” warning that any attempt to disturb the ties is “destined to fail.”

Moscow. India-Russia ties are described by Moscow as “steadily and confidently advancing,” with any attempts to disrupt this partnership labelled as “destined to fail.” The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that India’s commitment to Russia remains firm despite intense pressure from the US and NATO to halt Indian purchases of Russian oil.

This steadfast relationship is framed as rooted in a long history of friendship and strategic autonomy in international affairs, prioritizing sovereignty and national interests over external influence.

The ministry praised India’s resilience amid the US’s efforts, notably President Donald Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs on Indian goods. These tariffs include a base 25% and an additional 25% penalty linked explicitly to India’s purchase of Russian oil and defense equipment.

The US administration accused India of indirectly fuelling the conflict in Ukraine, claims that India has repeatedly rejected as unfair and unjustified. The tariffs emerged in the backdrop of stalled bilateral trade deal negotiations, with India holding firm on limiting concessions in sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy.

The strategic partnership spans extensive areas including joint civilian and military production, India’s manned space missions, nuclear power projects like Kudankulam, and Indian investments in Russian oil exploration.

Besides traditional defense and energy cooperation, both countries are enhancing joint payment systems, increasing national currency use, and developing alternative transport and logistics corridors to strengthen bilateral ties independently of Western pressures.

Despite US attempts to isolate India economically via tariffs and political pressure, Moscow insists the bilateral relationship is reliable, predictable, and truly strategic in nature. Officials stress that India exercises sovereign decision-making in its international alliances, reflecting a broader policy of strategic autonomy that withstands external coercion.

This enduring partnership reflects deep-rooted ties and mutual interests across defence, energy, technology, and diplomatic spheres.

Moscow’s narrative underlines the failure of efforts led by US President Trump to fracture India-Russia ties amid geopolitical tensions related to the Ukraine conflict, reinforcing the idea that India’s independent foreign policy and longstanding friendship with Russia will endure despite external attempts to impose punitive economic measures.

US tariffs and global tensions

Relations between India and the United States have turned tense after former President Donald Trump imposed 25 per cent reciprocal duties on Indian goods, along with an additional 25 per cent levy on India’s imports of discounted Russian crude, bringing the total tariff burden to 50 per cent.

Trump has repeatedly accused India of “fuelling Russia’s deadly attacks on Ukraine” by buying Russian oil, though his administration has not directly sanctioned Moscow. India has called these tariffs “unfair and unreasonable,” pointing out that the US and Europe continue to buy Russian oil themselves.

Strengthening ties amid pressure

Despite US pressure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi moved to solidify India’s ties with Russia and China by attending the SCO Summit in Tianjin, where he held talks with both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. The Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated that India’s engagement reflects both countries’ long-standing friendship and New Delhi’s strategic autonomy, with the relationship being “reliable, predictable and truly strategic in nature.”