US President Donald Trump slapped a 50 per cent tariff on India earlier this year, half of which was imposed as a penalty for India’s purchases of discounted Russian oil.
“I think Putin has been very understanding of India’s predicament. They will have to devise ways of trading with subterfuge so that it does not displease the Americans,” said Pushpesh Pant, former dean of the School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Russia has been India’s biggest supplier of military equipment for decades, even as Delhi seeks to diversify its weapon suppliers to include countries such as France, the US and Israel. Up to 60 per cent of India’s military equipment is of Russian origin, including combat aircraft, battle tanks, frigates and an aircraft carrier, according to local media reports.
