EU Flags Concerns Over India-Russia Ties Even as Leaders Push to Deepen Strategic Partnership

Reservations within the European Union over India’s relationship with Russia continue to surface, even as Brussels seeks to expand cooperation with New Delhi on trade, defence, and security.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of advancing the EU-India partnership, writing on X: “Now is the time to double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values.” She underscored the EU’s intent to conclude a free trade agreement with India by the end of 2025.

At the same time, Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the Commission and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, cautioned that India’s ongoing military cooperation and energy trade with Russia remain key obstacles. “Participating in military exercises, purchases of oil — all these are obstacles to our cooperation when it comes to deepening the ties,” Kallas said, referring to India’s participation in Russia’s Zapad joint drills with Belarus and its continued imports of Russian crude.

Kallas further stressed that EU-India relations cannot be limited to trade alone, but must also be about “defending the rules-based international order.”

Despite these differences, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic highlighted that the bloc has become India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade expanding by more than 90% over the past decade. Both sides are now working towards finalizing a free trade pact by 2025.

The debate over India’s Russia policy comes amid shifting dynamics in its relations with Washington. The US had earlier criticized New Delhi’s oil purchases from Moscow, with some officials arguing that such imports were “funding Putin’s war machine.” At one point, President Donald Trump raised tariffs on most Indian exports to 50% in response. However, ties appear to have stabilized after Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged warm messages on social media, followed by a personal birthday call from the US President to Modi on Tuesday night.

India has consistently defended its stance as one of neutrality and “peace,” noting that its energy decisions are guided by national interest. Officials in New Delhi also point out that Washington had initially encouraged such purchases to stabilize global oil markets. Trump himself has since described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as “more of a Europe problem.”

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced disappointment over India’s position but remains under pressure from the US and its allies to engage in peace negotiations with Moscow.

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin also extended birthday greetings to Modi. In response, the Indian leader reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” with Moscow, while pledging India’s readiness to contribute towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.