On Wednesday, September 17th, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that India’s participation in military exercises with Moscow and its ongoing purchases of Russian oil “stand in the way of closer ties” with the bloc.
“Ultimately, our partnership is not only about trade, but also about defending the rules-based international order,” Kallas said.
Alongside Moscow allies including Iran, India joined Russia’s Zapad (West) joint drills with Belarus this month, some of which were held near NATO’s borders, prompting criticism from Kallas:
Participating in military exercises, purchases of oil—all these are obstacles to our cooperation when it comes to deepening the ties.
The EU and India are working to conclude talks on a free trade agreement by the end of 2025, amid New Delhi’s own tensions with Washington.
U.S.–India ties have been strained since President Donald Trump raised tariffs on most Indian exports to 50% last month in retaliation for New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil.
Trump has also intensified pressure on Europe, demanding that EU and NATO members “stop immediately” their Russian oil imports.
The European Union remains India’s biggest trading partner—with bilateral trade rising by 90% over the past ten years—trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič noted during a press briefing with Kallas in Brussels.
Both sides are also preparing for a high-level summit, expected to take place early next year.
