PX Media/Shutterstock Save for later Print Download Share LinkedIn Twitter India surmounted many a Western hurdle to continue buying Russian oil, snubbing Washington and Brussels in the process to cement its ties with Moscow. Until early last year, the India-Russia relationship centered on defense supplies, and some cultural exchanges. Trade expanded tremendously after discounted Russian oil started hitting Indian shores, surging to over $44 billion in the first 11 months of fiscal year 2022/23 after India declined to join unprecedented sanctions imposed by the West against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. But Western policing of Russian shipments is starting to create trade barriers between the two countries, prompting both to search out new ways to strengthen growing economic ties.
