A serious rift is growing between the United States and its ally India, centered on the contentious issues of oil and policy towards Russia. This divide is widening as the US explores its own energy deals with Moscow while penalizing New Delhi for doing the same.
The source of the rift is a fundamental disagreement on how to engage with Russia. The US has adopted a punitive stance, imposing 50% tariffs on India for its decision to purchase Russian oil, demanding that its allies follow its lead in isolating Moscow economically.
However, the US itself is not adhering to this isolationist policy. Secret talks are being held to potentially allow major US companies like Exxon Mobil to re-enter Russia’s energy sector as part of a broader diplomatic play related to Ukraine.
This “do as I say, not as I do” approach is causing deep frustration in India and straining the strategic partnership. It highlights a growing divergence in how the two democratic powers view their interests and their roles in the complex geopolitics of the 21st century.