India, a key ally of the United States, is profiting from its neutral stance in the Ukraine crisis by buying large amounts of Russian oil, according to a report by The New York Times.
The report said that India bought half of all the oil that Russia shipped at sea in December, as Western sanctions and low prices reduced Russia’s exports to Europe and China.
India’s oil imports from Russia increased by 60 percent last year, making it Russia’s second-largest customer after China. India also imports weapons and nuclear technology from Russia, its longtime strategic partner.
The report suggested that India’s oil purchases could help Russia weather the economic impact of the conflict with Ukraine, which has escalated in recent weeks as Russia amassed troops near the border.
The United States has urged its allies to reduce their dependence on Russian energy and to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. But India has maintained a balanced approach, avoiding direct criticism of Russia or support for Ukraine.
India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, said last week that India hoped for a peaceful resolution of the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy. He also said that India valued its relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
