India’s energy diplomacy has reached an inflection point. The steady rise of Russian oil in India’s import basket, once seen as smart economics, now carries heavier geopolitical baggage. What began as a pragmatic response to Western sanctions on Moscow has evolved into a high-stakes balancing act, one that tests India’s claim to strategic autonomy as well as its credibility on the global stage. The argument in Delhi is straightforward: India’s energy choices are guided by the welfare of its citizens.

As the world’s third-largest oil importer, India cannot afford to ignore discounted Russian crude that saves billions of dollars and helps contain fuel prices at home. Its refineries are calibrated for heavier grades such as Russia’s Urals blend, and replacing those barrels overnight would mean higher costs, complex reconfigurations, and ultimately, economic pain for ordinary consumers. In a........

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