Energy Security: Why India is Hugging Russia and Irking the US

Energy is the currency of geopolitics. When Russia invaded Ukraine, the West expected India to jump on the sanctions bandwagon. Instead, we did the opposite: we started buying more Russian oil at a discount. On paper, it looked like we were siding with the aggressor. But let’s be real—India imports 80% of its oil needs. We don’t have the luxury of moral high ground when it comes to keeping the economy running. A senior journalist put it well: ‘We are not pro-Russia; we are pro-India.’ The US huffed and puffed, but they eventually looked the other way because they need India in the Indo-Pacific. It was a calculated risk that paid off. But it sets a precedent. It tells the world that India will prioritize its own economic survival over Western-led coalitions. That’s a powerful statement for a country trying to be a global leader.