Apr 04, 2026
Apr 04, 2026
Can a Nation Keep Everyone Together Without Losing Its Old Friends?
For years, many people praised Narendra Modi for trying to make India friendly with every major power in the world. He met leaders from Russia, America, Europe, the Middle East, Israel, and even countries that earlier had little closeness with India. The image presented was that India under Modi would not depend on one camp, but would become a friend to all.
At first this appeared wise. In a world divided between America, Russia, China, and Europe, it seems sensible for a country like India to keep relations with everyone. But in reality, politics between nations is not like politics within a family or friendship circle. In real life, one cannot keep every friend happy forever—especially when those friends are enemies of each other.
India’s foreign policy today faces exactly this problem.
Russia Was Not Merely a Partner—It Was a Friend in Difficult Times
India’s relationship with Russia was not created yesterday. It is one of the oldest and strongest partnerships India ever had.
Long before Narendra Modi, and even before modern Russia existed, the Soviet Union stood with India at moments when many other countries did not.
During the 1971 war, when India was under pressure from America and China because of Bangladesh, it was the Soviet Union that stood behind India. At a time when the American Seventh Fleet moved toward the Indian Ocean, the Soviet Union gave India political and military support.
When India needed weapons, fighter jets, submarines, tanks, and missiles, Russia gave them—often at prices and terms that no Western country would offer. India’s army, navy, and air force were built largely on Russian equipment.
Whenever India faced pressure in international forums, Russia often used its power to help India. Even on difficult issues such as Kashmir, Russia generally remained closer to India than many Western countries.
This is why many Indians consider Russia not merely a country with which India trades, but an old and tested friend.
Modi’s Attempt to Become Friendly With America
At the same time, Narendra Modi understood that the world had changed.
The Soviet Union no longer existed. America had become the world’s strongest economy and military power. India wanted technology, investment, better trade, and support against China.
So Modi moved India closer to the United States.
He built close personal relations with American presidents, whether it was Donald Trump or others. Events like “Howdy Modi” and “Namaste Trump” were shown as symbols of a new friendship between India and America.
India joined arrangements such as the Quad with America, Japan, and Australia. India increased military exercises with America. American companies were encouraged to invest in India.
Many people believed this was a masterstroke: India would remain close to Russia, but at the same time become a trusted partner of America.
However, this idea works only so long as America and Russia are not directly fighting each other.
Once the Russia-Ukraine war began, the entire balance became difficult.
The Ukraine War Exposed the Weakness of This Strategy
When the war between Russia and Ukraine began, America and Europe imposed sanctions on Russia.
Suddenly every country was expected to choose a side.
America wanted countries to isolate Russia. Russia wanted its old friends to stand by it.
India tried to stand in the middle.
On one hand, India did not openly oppose Russia. India continued to buy Russian crude oil because Russia was giving it at a heavy discount. This was economically beneficial for India because India imports most of its oil.
On the other hand, India also did not want to anger America. Therefore, India spoke carefully, avoided directly supporting Russia in public, and tried to maintain good relations with the United States.
For some time this balancing worked.
But there is a problem with such a policy.
An old friend may forgive your silence once or twice. But if he feels that you are slowly leaving him in order to impress a new friend, trust begins to weaken.
Many people believe that India, under pressure from America and because of its desire to remain close to the West, slowly reduced the extent of its dependence on Russia.
India started talking more about diversification, buying weapons from other countries, reducing dependence on Russian oil at certain periods, and becoming closer to America.
From Russia’s point of view, this could create the feeling that India is no longer as loyal as before.
The Greatest Risk: Losing an Old Friend Without Gaining a New One Completely
This is the fear that many people have.
If India reduces Russian oil purchases, distances itself from Russia, and tries to satisfy America, then India expects America to reward it.
But what if America does not?
America’s foreign policy has always been based on its own interests. It does not permanently support any country out of gratitude.
Donald Trump especially follows a very transactional style of politics.
Trump does not see international relations emotionally. He sees them as deals.
If he feels America is not gaining enough, he can pressure even close allies.
Under Trump, America imposed tariffs even on friendly countries. India also faced trade pressure. Trump repeatedly criticised India on trade and called India a “tariff king.”
Therefore, if India weakens its ties with Russia to please America, but America still increases tariffs or pressures India, then India could find itself in the worst possible position:
In ordinary life, this is similar to leaving an old loyal friend for a new friend who speaks sweetly but stands with you only when it benefits him.
Why Russia Matters More Than Just Oil
Some people think this issue is only about crude oil.
It is much bigger than that.
Russia matters to India in several important ways:
America, by contrast, often links friendship with conditions.
America may support India today, but tomorrow it may ask India to change policies regarding trade, human rights, military purchases, or even foreign relations.
America has often changed its position according to who becomes president.
One president may support India strongly. Another may pressure India.
Russia, despite its weaknesses, has generally been more consistent toward India over decades.
Modi’s Biggest Challenge
Narendra Modi’s biggest challenge is not making friends.
He has been successful in building relations with many countries.
The real challenge is deciding which friendships are permanent and which are temporary.
A nation cannot stand equally with two rivals forever.
At some point, when the conflict becomes serious, every country is forced to decide whom it trusts more.
India today wants to stand with both Russia and America.
But Russia and America increasingly stand on opposite sides of the world order.
That is why many people believe India may eventually be forced to choose.
If India chooses America too much, it may lose Russia.
If India remains too close to Russia, America may increase pressure through tariffs, sanctions, or strategic isolation.
The danger is that by trying too hard to keep everyone together, India may slowly discover that nobody is fully with it.
Final Reflection
Perhaps the greatest mistake in politics is believing that everyone can be kept happy forever.
In personal life, sometimes a person who always tries to please everyone ends up losing both old friends and new friends.
The same can happen to nations.
India’s long friendship with Russia was built over decades of trust, sacrifice, and support during difficult times.
America may be useful, powerful, and necessary—but usefulness is not the same as loyalty.
The question India must ask is not:
“Who is more powerful today?”
The real question is:
“Who stood with India when India needed someone, and who will still stand tomorrow when the world changes again?”
04-Apr-2026
More by : Adv Chandan Agarwal