•Group of 27 wants to maintain trade agreements with the world’s most populous countries
•Putin, under Trump’s pressure, Modi hails friendly contact
Brussels: EU’s top diplomat warned on Wednesday that people who push for closer ties to India could be hampered by New Delhi Buy or Russian oil and participate in military exercises in Moscow.
The G27 is urging a trade deal with the world’s most populous countries and strengthening ties in areas like the Ministry of Defense that shocked the global order.
“At the end of the day, our partnership is not only about trade, but also about defending a rule-based international order,” said Carras, head of foreign policy at the EU.
“Take a military exercise, buy oil – all of which are obstacles to deepening the tie,” Karas said.
But she said the EU does not believe India will discuss their issues across Russia and both sides.
India, along with other Moscow allies, including Iran, participated in this month’s joint exercise with Belarus in the Russian Zapad (Western) with part of it near the NATO border.
Due to the Ukrainian War, India became the main buyer of Russian oil savings and provided Moscow with a much-needed export market.
U.S. President Donald Trump pushes EU slap last week tariff In India and China, Russian President Vladimir Putin forced to end the war.
But EU diplomats say it is unlikely when Brussels chases a trade deal with New Delhi, although it can take steps against Indian Russian entities like previous sanctions against Moscow.
Despite the lack of consistency with Russia, the EU and India are also working to end negotiations on a free trade agreement at the end of 2025, due to tensions between New Delhi itself and Washington.
U.S.-India relations have been tense since Trump raised tariffs on most Indian exports 50% Last month, New Delhi continued to buy Russian oil.
The EU is India’s largest trading partner, with trade between the two economic giants rising 90% over the past decade, with Brussels’ Karas tied for the top spot.
Senior figures in India and the EU hope to meet early next year to hold a high-level summit.
Putin-Mody Friendship
Meanwhile, Putin and Modi praised their friendship and hot relationship on Wednesday, and raised their phone calls despite the pressure from Washington that overextended the economic relationship between the two.
Trump has raised tariffs in India, which have become the main pedal for Russian oil, with Western sanctions imposing an attack on Ukraine on Moscow.
The day after the Model Hero talked with Trump over the Ukrainian conflict and tariffs, Russian and Indian leaders made calls over the phone.
“The relationship between India and Russia is very trusting and friendly,” the Russian president said at a televised government meeting after the call.
Modi said on X that he is “committed to further strengthening our special and privileged strategic partnership” and that India is “ready to make all possible contributions to a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian conflict”.
Trump and Ukraine are trying to cut Russia’s important energy revenue, which they say is Moscow’s army to keep up with its offensive.
Posted in Dawn on September 18, 2025
