India Invited to G7, Passive on Russia Sanctions... "Maintaining Neutral Stance"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] India, invited to the Group of Seven (G7) summit, is reportedly showing reluctance to participate in sanctions against Russia despite repeated persuasion from the West, indicating its intention to maintain its existing neutral diplomatic stance.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 27th (local time), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to this G7 summit. The G7 announced plans to invest $600 billion (approximately 772 trillion KRW) in social infrastructure, power and communication networks, and healthcare systems in developing countries like India during this summit, aiming to encourage participation in sanctions against Russia. However, India is expected to uphold its existing neutral diplomatic position.

On the same day, the Times of India reported that Prime Minister Modi maintained a fundamental view of resolving the Ukraine conflict through dialogue. Vinay Kwatra, India’s Deputy Foreign Minister, also emphasized at a press conference that "there is no change in Prime Minister Modi’s stance on resolving the Ukraine situation through dialogue and diplomacy."

India has maintained a neutral stance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has not actively participated in the U.S. and European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia. Instead, it has significantly increased its imports of Russian crude oil, drawing criticism as the biggest loophole in the West’s sanctions against Russia. Last month, India imported an average of about 800,000 barrels of oil per day, a substantial increase compared to approximately 390,000 barrels in April this year and 137,000 barrels in May last year.