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How India has become Russia's trade lifeline

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Marta Grudzinska
September 12, 2026

The war in Ukraine reshaped trade between India and Russia. Oil still dominates, but Indian companies are gaining ground in a wider range of sectors.

India and Russia are strengthening their economic partnership despite Western sanctions and global uncertainty.

Trade between the two countries has surged since the start of the war in Ukraine, driven largely by Russian oil exports but increasingly supported by a broader range of goods and new payment systems.

As both sides seek deeper cooperation and greater financial independence, the relationship is evolving far beyond its traditional focus on defense, with potentially significant implications for global trade and energy markets.

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