Jaishankar in Moscow: Is India Balancing Russia and the West?

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar begins a two-day visit to Moscow on August 23–24, at a particularly sensitive moment for India’s foreign policy. He will co-chair the 27th India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and meet Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss bilateral and global issues.

The timing is significant. India continues to maintain a long-standing strategic relationship with Russia, while simultaneously expanding its economic and strategic engagement with the United States and Europe. The Moscow visit therefore raises an important question: Is New Delhi successfully balancing competing global powers, or is the pressure becoming harder to manage?

Trade and energy are expected to dominate the discussions. India–Russia trade reached a record $68.7 billion in 2024–25, but the relationship remains heavily tilted toward Indian imports, particularly Russian energy. India’s exports to Russia were only around $4.88 billion, highlighting the need for a more balanced economic relationship.

At the same time, India faces pressure from Washington over its purchases of Russian oil. US tariff threats have added another layer of complexity to New Delhi’s calculations, even as India continues negotiations on a trade agreement with the United States.

Yet India’s approach is not necessarily about choosing Russia or the West. It is increasingly about maintaining strategic autonomy—working with Russia on energy and defence, while cooperating with the US and Europe on technology, investment and trade.

Jaishankar’s Moscow visit will therefore be closely watched. For India, the challenge is clear: protect old partnerships without compromising new opportunities. If New Delhi can manage both, its multi-alignment strategy could become one of its greatest diplomatic strengths.