India complicates Biden’s efforts

United States President Joe Biden's campaign to unite the globe against the Russian invasion of Ukraine is being challenged not only by adversaries such as China but also by the world's most populous democracy, India.

An Indian government official said on Friday that the country will increase its imports of Russian oil, allowing it to boost energy supplies at a discount as its economy struggles to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Although India is not alone in buying Russian energy — several European allies such as Germany have continued to do so — the decision conflicts with Biden's efforts to isolate Russia's economy with sanctions.

The increased flow of oil could further strain the relationship between Washington and New Delhi, which has already been tested by India's recent procurement of advanced Russian air defence systems. The White House is still considering whether to enact sanctions on India for that purchase.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in India yesterday with officials in Tokyo predicting "candid discussions" about New Delhi's unwillingness to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ahead of Kishida's visit, the first by a Japanese prime minister since 2017, a foreign ministry official said Tokyo was "aware" of Delhi's historical ties to Russia and its geographical location, reported AFP.

Russia has long been a point of friction in US-India relations, but the White House believes the two democracies have more that's in common than that divides them.

India is a member of the Quad, an international partnership that also includes the US, Australia and Japan, and the leaders of all four nations are slated to meet this year in Tokyo.

The White House has publicly warned China against siding with Russia during the war in Ukraine, but it has been more circumspect when addressing India's role.

Imports make up 85 percent of India's oil needs, and its overall demand is projected to jump 8.2 percent to 5.15 million barrels per day this year.

Indian media reports said that Russia was offering a 20 percent discount on oil purchases below global benchmark prices.

India's relationship with Russia revolves more around defence than energy. Russia provides only a small fraction of India's oil but the majority of its military hardware.

Ken Juster, a former US ambassador to India, said the South Asian nation "believes in strategic autonomy" and is unlikely to line up neatly on either side in conflicts between the East and the West.

However, he expects New Delhi to face additional pressure as the war in Ukraine continues.