Background & Objectives: This article examines why energy dependence affected Indian diplomacy in its bilateral relations with Russia and the West during the Russia-Ukraine war after 2022. I will argue that energy security, strategic autonomy, economic interests, and India's growing US-centric Indo-Pacific pivot have shaped its decision-making.
Methodology: This study uses a qualitative, doctrinal and analytical method to assess the issue based on secondary data, policy documents, official statements and current events related to India's crude oil imports, Russian energy supplies and Western responses.
Key Findings: Discounted Russian crude played a crucial role in stabilising inflation, refining margins and supply security. Being a large importer and refiner of oil provided India the opportunity to reconcile its long-standing military and energy relations with Russia even as it built stronger relationships with the West regarding technology, trade, investments and maritime security.
Conclusion & Significance: India's energy diplomacy highlights strategic autonomy via opportunistic alignments rather than zero-sum games of great power politics. However, secondary sanctions, reputational risks, cheap Russian energy, maritime choke points and volatile oil prices have opened up new vulnerabilities. The paper concludes that energy dependence is a critical factor that shapes a nation's security, bargaining power and diplomatic autonomy in a multipolar world.
Energy Security; Strategic Autonomy; India–Russia Relations; Russia–Ukraine War; India–West Relations; Multipolarity
Surjit Singh. The Role of Energy Dependence in India’s Diplomatic Bargaining with Russia and the West. Indian Journal of Modern Research and Reviews. 2026; 4(9):227-242
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