India’s Strategic Hypocrisy In The Russia Ukraine War

India often describes itself as a country of “strategic autonomy,” a nation that stands neutral and independent between East and West. Its leaders repeat this claim at every platform to show India as a balanced power. But the record of its trade and energy deals during the Russia Ukraine war exposes a very different truth. India has imported record amounts of crude oil from Russia at heavy discounts, refined it in its plants, and then exported the same fuel in the form of diesel to Ukraine. While doing this, India has also projected itself as a reliable partner to the United States and Europe. The result is a pattern of lies and deception that shows India as a country of hypocrisy rather than honesty.

India’s Oil Dependence On Russia

India has quickly become the biggest buyer of Russian oil since the war began. While Europe tried to cut supplies to punish Moscow, India went in the opposite direction and increased imports. The numbers show that this is not a small shift but a major dependence that feeds Russia’s war chest.

Russia As Main Supplier:

• By August 2025, India was importing around two million barrels of Russian crude every single day
• Russia now supplies nearly 39 percent of India’s oil needs, ahead of Iraq and Saudi Arabia
• In 2024, India’s fossil fuel imports from Russia were worth more than 53 billion dollars

Price Factor:

• Russian crude oil is around 39 dollars cheaper per ton compared to Iraqi crude
• This discount saved India between 10 to 13 billion dollars in the years 2023 and 2024
• The lure of low prices has tied India to Russian supplies despite global pressure

Direct Help To Moscow:

• Each barrel India buys gives Moscow more funds to continue its war in Ukraine
• Western sanctions are weakened because India buys what Europe has stopped buying
• Instead of isolating Russia, India has made itself Moscow’s lifeline in energy

Diesel Supply To Ukraine

At the same time that India has become the largest oil buyer from Russia, it has also become the biggest diesel supplier to Ukraine. The contradiction is shocking. Fuel that is refined from Russian oil in Indian plants is shipped out as diesel to Ukraine. India has therefore managed to make money from both sides of the war while calling itself neutral.

Growing Role In Diesel Market:

• In August 2025, India supplied 18 percent of Ukraine’s diesel imports
• These shipments were 42 percent higher than the previous month, reaching 114 thousand tonnes
• The fuel mainly reached Ukraine through Romania’s Danube ports and also via Turkey

Irony Of Russian Crude:

• The diesel supplied to Ukraine is often refined from the same Russian crude India imports
• This means India helps Russia earn from crude and then profits again by selling diesel to Ukraine
• The claim of neutrality is false when the same crude is used to serve both enemies

A Supplier Without Trust:

• Ukraine receives fuel but knows it comes with the shadow of Russian origin
• Russia tolerates this because the real money is in crude sales to India
• Both sides know India is not a loyal partner but a trader taking advantage of war

Unease In The West

The United States and Europe have long wanted India as a strong partner in Asia against China. But India’s behaviour during the Russia Ukraine war has created discomfort in Western capitals. By feeding Russia’s oil economy and selling fuel to Ukraine at the same time, India has made itself look like a double dealer.

Washington’s Concerns:

• America calls India a strategic partner but sees it undermine sanctions in practice
• European leaders find it hard to explain why India is given so much space despite its role
• This gap between rhetoric and action has made Western leaders uneasy

Collapse Of Neutral Image:

• India’s talk of balance and restraint is exposed as empty words
• The scale of trade shows New Delhi is guided by profit, not by principle
• Neutrality has become a mask to cover selfish policy

Strategic Hypocrisy:

• Modi government uses the slogan of strategic autonomy to fool the world
• In reality, it is quietly helping Moscow while asking for Western goodwill
• This double game has placed India in the dock of global criticism

Modi Government’s Energy Politics

The Indian government presents its oil trade as a shield for its economy. It says that cheap imports protect its people from inflation and ensure steady supply. But the reality is that this is less about protection and more about profit. It is opportunism at the cost of credibility.

Profit Comes First:

• India has put economic savings above every global responsibility
• It buys crude from Russia only for low cost, without care for consequences
• Then it sells the same oil as diesel abroad to earn more money

False Talk Of Independence:

• Modi claims India is acting independently and not under foreign influence
• But the numbers show deep dependence on Russian supplies
• Independence is used only as a slogan to hide economic greed

Loss Of Global Trust:

• Western partners no longer see India as dependable
• Ukraine doubts the sincerity of its fuel supplies
• Russia sees India only as a buyer, not a true ally

The Risks Of Double Standards

India’s two faced policy may bring savings today but it carries clear dangers for tomorrow. By trying to please all sides and profit from all sides, it may end up losing everyone’s trust. The risks are serious and growing.

Risk Of Losing The West:

• America and Europe may lose patience with India’s support of Moscow
• If sanctions tighten further, India may face pressure or isolation
• Trust once broken will take years to restore

Anger From Both Sides:

• Moscow may one day accuse India of betrayal for aiding Ukraine
• Kyiv already questions the honesty of India’s role
• Both sides will see India as unfaithful and selfish

Declining Image:

• India’s image as a responsible rising power has collapsed
• It is now seen globally as unreliable and opportunistic
• No amount of speeches can hide this exposed record

Conclusion India’s Policy Of Deception

India has been exposed in the Russia Ukraine war. By importing massive amounts of Russian crude and exporting diesel to Ukraine, India has cheated both sides. It has given billions to Moscow, supplied fuel to Kyiv, and presented itself to the West as a partner. This is not neutrality, this is deception.

The Modi government has turned the idea of strategic autonomy into a mask for double standards. What it calls balance is actually opportunism. What it claims as independence is actually hypocrisy. India has placed profit above principle and short term gain above long term trust. The world should take note. India cannot be treated as a reliable or honest power. It has chosen the path of lies, greed and betrayal, and in doing so has destroyed its own claim of neutrality.