Introduction

India’s strategic choices in foreign policy have once again drawn international attention amid renewed Western threats of secondary sanctions. Central to the issue is India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy, as reflected in its military and energy engagements with Russia—a country the West seeks to economically isolate following its invasion of Ukraine.

This debate intensified during Operation Sindoor, where Russia-supplied S-400 air defence systems were deployed as the outermost layer of India’s air defence, reaffirming the importance of these strategic acquisitions.

The S-400 Deal and CAATSA Waiver

• The S-400 Triumf is a highly advanced long-range air defence system developed by Russia, capable of neutralizing aircraft, UAVs, and missiles within a 400 km radius.
• In 2018, India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia to acquire five S-400 systems, despite vocal opposition from the United States.

CAATSA Explained:

• The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is a U.S. law mandating sanctions on nations conducting significant transactions with Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
• The law posed a challenge to India-Russia defence cooperation.
• However, recognizing India’s strategic relevance in the Indo-Pacific and its defence modernization needs, the U.S. Congress granted India a waiver.

Operation Sindoor: Real-World Use of S-400

• Operation Sindoor was launched to counter potential cross-border threats.
• The deployment of the S-400 as India’s first line of defence underscored its critical role in national security.
• This move also demonstrated India’s resolve to prioritize its defence interests, despite global political pressures.

Rising Western Pressure: Sanctions and Tariff Threats

• In recent developments, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and several U.S. senators issued fresh warnings of secondary sanctions and tariffs of up to 500% on countries, including India, Brazil, and China, that continue trading with Russia.
• Former U.S. President Donald Trump proposed even stricter measures, warning of 100% tariffs on nations trading with Russia unless a peace deal in Ukraine is reached within 50 days of his potential return to office.

India’s Response: Prioritizing Energy Security and National Interest

India has responded assertively through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which emphasized:

• Energy security remains a top priority for India.
• The West is applying double standards, as many Western nations continue importing Russian LNG, even as they criticize India’s purchases.

India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister added that the country has already diversified its crude oil imports, ensuring it can handle any potential supply shocks.

India’s Oil Trade with Russia: The Global Loophole

• After the G7-imposed price cap on Russian oil, India began importing discounted Russian crude in large volumes.
• This move helped stabilize domestic fuel prices and manage inflation.
• A significant portion of this oil is refined in India and re-exported to Europe, utilizing a legal loophole that allows such transactions.

Findings from CREA (Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air):

• By the end of 2024, India had emerged as the EU’s largest supplier of refined oil products, especially diesel and jet fuel, much of which originated from Russian crude.
• At the same time, Europe’s LNG imports from Russia in 2023 hit record highs, further exposing the inconsistency in the West’s sanctions regime.

Strategic and Geopolitical Implications

While the West aims to reduce Russia’s revenue—a key source of funding for its war in Ukraine—targeting India may have several unintended consequences:

• Weakening India-West strategic relations
• Undermining cooperation in multilateral platforms like the Quad, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), and collaborations in climate and technology
• Reinforcing the perception that the West applies selective and biased use of global institutions

India’s Diplomatic Position: Strategic Autonomy and Multi-Alignment

India continues to follow a multi-alignment policy, avoiding exclusive alliances while building partnerships across geopolitical divides.

• It works closely with the US, Japan, and Australia in the Indo-Pacific, while simultaneously maintaining strong ties with Russia, Iran, and Central Asia.
• At the United Nations, India has consistently abstained from anti-Russia resolutions, advocating dialogue and peaceful solutions over punitive actions.
• India’s consistent messaging: Strategic autonomy is non-negotiable.

Way Forward

To manage these geopolitical tensions and ensure resilience, India is taking several steps:

1. Diversifying Crude Supply

• Increased imports from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United States to reduce reliance on any single source

2. Engaging the West Constructively

• Advocating mutual respect and fairness
• Emphasizing shared priorities, such as countering China’s assertiveness
• Promoting dialogue over coercion or pressure tactics

3. Leveraging Global Platforms

• Utilizing forums like the G20, BRICS, Quad, and UN to articulate India’s sovereign, balanced, and pragmatic approach

Conclusion

India’s long-held principle of strategic autonomy is once again under scrutiny. The S-400 deployment during Operation Sindoor and its oil trade with Russia are both emblematic of a national-interest-first policy.

The West must acknowledge that India cannot be treated as a transactional partner, subject to the dictates of laws like CAATSA or threats of secondary sanctions.

True international cooperation must be founded on mutual respect for sovereignty, not conditionalities.
India’s balanced and pragmatic diplomacy will continue to guide its global engagement amid shifting geopolitical tides.