BRUSSELS — The EU wants to boost cooperation with India, including on defense — just as U.S. President Donald Trump pressures it to slam New Delhi with massive tariffs over its enablement of Russia’s war in Ukraine.  

“The growing complexity of global security threats, rising geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological change underscore the need for closer EU-India dialogue and cooperation in security and defence,” the European Commission said in a communication published Wednesday. 

In a likely bid to appease Trump and those who criticize greater cooperation with one of Russia’s closest allies, the Commission added a caveat that India should stop helping Russia circumvent sanctions.

“It is of utmost importance to the EU that any enablement of the war be curtailed,” the communication reads. 

The statement adds that Brussels will engage with India on all aspects of countering Russia’s war in Ukraine, including preventing the re-export of battlefield items of EU origin to Russia, and “sanctions circumvention, including through Russia’s shadow fleet and other energy measures.” 

Meanwhile, India sent 65 troops to join the annual Russian military exercise Zapad last weekend, where the Kremlin simulated a nuclear attack on NATO countries. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to a summit in China, he held hands with Putin as they approached their host, President Xi Jinping.

“Participating in military exercises, purchase of oil, all these are obstacles to our cooperation when it comes to deepening the ties,” the EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said at a press conference in Brussels on the EU-India Strategic Agenda. 

However, she warned that if the EU doesn’t stand ready to engage with India, hostile powers will fill that gap. “The question is always whether we leave this void to be filled by somebody else or try to fill it ourselves,” she said.

As part of its 19th sanctions package, the EU is considering targeting countries that aid Russia in circumventing sanctions — including India, which is among the top buyers of Russian oil and coal. 

The EU has already sanctioned a partly Russian-owned refinery in India, meaning that the facility can no longer export to the bloc.

An unpredictable U.S.

The communication shows that Brussels finds itself in a rather tricky geopolitical arena: Aiming to ramp up cooperation and seal a free-trade agreement with India by the end of the year, while hoping to diversify trade away from the U.S. and an increasingly unpredictable White House.

At the same time, Brussels won’t find it easy to remain a credible threat to Russia while doing more business with a country that has historical and ongoing close ties with Moscow.  

An EU official, speaking after being granted anonymity to discuss closed-door discussions, admitted that New Delhi and Brussels “have differences” when it comes to Russia’s war on Ukraine.  

“It’s not all joyous music and singing and dancing. There is an acknowledgement that we need to do more to bridge gaps,” the official added, pointing to sanctions and “the oil front.”

And yet, Brussels is counting on the world’s most populous country for its diversification push. The communication follows Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to India at the start of the year, taking her full roster of commissioners with her.

Last week, the EU’s trade commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, again spoke highly of India during his third visit to the country this year. He reiterated that the trade talks would be finalized before the end of 2025.