“The growing complexity of global safety threats, increasing geopolitical tensions and rapid technological changes emphasize the need strengthening of dialogue and cooperation between the EU and India in the field of security and defense, “said the European Commission in a press release published on Wednesday.
Probably in order to calm Trump and those who criticize the strengthening of cooperation with one of the Kremlin's closest allies, the Commission added a reservation that India should stop providing Russia in celebrating sanctions.
“For the EU, it is extremely important that all activities enabling war are limited” – we read in the communiqué.
The statement added that Brussels would cooperate with India in all aspects of counteracting the Russian war in Ukraine, including in the prevention of re -export to Russia items from the EU, which can be used on the battlefield, and “celebrating sanctions, including through the Russian fleet of shadows and other means.”
Continued article under video material
Meanwhile India sent 65 soldiers to join the annual Russian-Belarusian military exercises Spait last weekend, during which the Kremlin simulated a nuclear attack on NATO countries. And during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in China, he was holding hands with Putin when they approached the host of the event, the Chinese leader of the 11th Jinping.
-India's participation in military exercises, the purchase of Russian oil-all this is an obstacle to deepening the bond-admitted the head of EU diplomacy Kaja Kallas during a press conference in Brussels devoted to cooperation on the EU-India line.
She warned, however, that if the Union was not ready to cooperate with India, This gap will be filled with hostile powers. “The question always sounds whether we will leave this gap to fill someone else, or try to fill it ourselves,” she said.
Kaja Kallas during a press conference in Brussels, September 17, 2025.Dursun AyeDemir / Anadol Agency / Anadol Agency via AFP / AFP
As part of the 19th EU Sanctions Package, he considers the restrictions of countries that help Russia celebrate them – including India, which are one of the largest buyers of Russian oil and coal.
The EU has already imposed sanctions on the refinery partly belonging to Russia in India, which means that this plant can no longer export its products to the Union.
EU in trap
The message shows that Brussels was in a rather difficult geopolitical situation. On the one hand, he strives to strengthen cooperation and conclude a free trade agreement with India, hoping for diversification of trade away from the United States and an increasingly unpredictable White House.
On the other hand, it will not be easy to remain a reliable threat to Moscow, while conducting more interests with the country with which she maintains close relations.
An EU official, who wanted to maintain anonymity, admitted that there are “differences” between the new Delhi and Brussels in terms of Russia's war with Ukraine.
– Not everything is joy, singing and dance. There is the awareness that We must make more to reduce these differences The official added, pointing to the sanctions and the “oil front”.
Despite the issues of the disputed, Brussels counts on this most populated country in the world in its activities for diversification. The last message is a consequence of the visit of the chairman of the Ursula Commission von der Leyen in India at the beginning of the year during which it was accompanied by a whole group of commissioners.
Last week, the EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic again expressed very positive about India during his third visit to this country this year. He repeated that Trade talks will be finalized before the end of 2025.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
