NEW DELHI, February 27. /TASS/. India has no obligations to support compliance with unilateral anti-Russian restrictions of the West, President of The Imagindia Institute Robinder Sachdev told TASS.
"When European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi this week, she is expected to seek India’s cooperation in enforcing sanctions on Russia. However, the response from India will likely be polite yet firm. India adheres to UN Resolutions. Since the UN has not imposed any sanctions on Russia, India is under no obligation to enforce unilateral restrictions imposed by other nations or blocs," Sachdev said.
"India will reiterate that it pursues its own national interests when it comes to trade and energy security," the expert stressed. "Just as Europe has continued importing key commodities from Russia, India, too, makes independent decisions based on market conditions and its economic needs," Sachdev added.
"India will likely remind the EU delegation that European nations themselves continue to trade with Russia despite their sanctions rhetoric," the president said. In particular, the EU imported record-breaking 17.8 mln metric tons of Russian liquefied natural gas in 2024, the analyst noted. Furthermore, the EU imported 4.7 mln metric tons of steel materials from January to June 2024 and purchases of Russian and Belorussian fertilizers by the EU surged by 65% annually against 2023 and reached almost 3 mln metric tons.
"The EU wants to maintain pressure on Russia over the Ukraine conflict, especially as the United States is reconsidering its stance and may scale back or lift certain sanctions. With Washington’s position shifting, the EU seeks to reinforce its own anti-Russia strategy," the expert stressed. "India’s response to von der Leyen’s request will be diplomatic but resolute - reaffirming its commitment to UN resolutions, strategic autonomy, and independent economic policy," Sachdev concluded.