Monday’s meeting between Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, and India’s Narendra Modi highlighted a rare display of diplomatic solidarity and offered Putin an opportunity to engage directly with his country’s top oil buyers.
India and China have increasingly turned to Russian oil since Western nations imposed sanctions following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Lower prices, coupled with restricted global trade, drew the two Asian giants to Russian crude, helping sustain Moscow’s economy amid mounting Western pressure.
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, the three leaders discussed strengthening economic ties and coordinating strategies in a forum that analysts say challenges US influence. The SCO provides a platform for member states to promote an alternative global outlook to the Western-led order.
For Russia, the summit represents a chance to secure additional energy deals with India and China, its largest trading partners. Last year alone, China imported more than 100 million tonnes of Russian crude—nearly 20% of its total energy needs—while India has purchased approximately $140 billion (£103.5bn) worth of Russian oil since 2022, a dramatic increase from pre-war levels. Together, the two countries account for a majority of Russia’s energy exports, a critical revenue source that funds Moscow’s military operations.
Read Also: Trump Claims India Offers Tariff Cuts Amid Trade Tensions
Public policy expert Mandar Oak from the University of Adelaide said Russia may offer further discounts to ensure India and China continue buying oil despite US pressure. India has already benefited from cheaper energy, helping offset displaced Western supplies, and is expected to continue purchasing where the best deals are offered.
Modi emphasized the closeness of India-Russia relations, telling Putin their countries “have walked together shoulder to shoulder.” However, Delhi-Washington ties remain strained. The Trump administration imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods in response to Russian oil imports, a move New Delhi described as “unjustified” given the countries’ longstanding trade relationship.
The SCO summit underscored how energy trade, economic cooperation, and strategic diplomacy are intertwined, as Russia, India, and China reinforce their alliances in a shifting global landscape marked by sanctions and tariffs.
