India Raises This Demand To Russia Ahead Of Crucial 5-Nation Meeting: Why Tensions Between New Delhi, Moscow Are Intensifying | World News

New Delhi: India has been pressuring Russia to ease trade barriers that currently hinder exports of electronics, engineering goods, foodstuffs and fish. The aim of the move is to allow the country to access Russian rubles worth approximately $50-55 billion in Moscow banks after oil imports.

According to The Times of India, Indian exporters are facing obstacles in the Russian market. While electronics shipments are delayed due to software-related requirements imposed by Russia, engineering products also face strict standards that slow approvals. Meeting local language or documentation requirements for some products has also become a challenge.

An official who participated in the discussions explained that Indian goods must comply with both Russian and Eurasian standards, which makes the export process difficult. Given the country’s significant trade deficit with Moscow, the issue has been escalated to the highest levels of the Indian government.

India’s trade deficit with Russia reached nearly $25 billion in the first seven months of the 2025-26 financial year, largely due to crude oil imports.

US sanctions on some Russian oil companies have caused Indian refiners to reduce their purchases; however, some new suppliers are now providing crude oil. As a result, there is hope that the trade deficit will decrease.

Payments for Russian crude oil were made in rubles and other currencies, and significant amounts remained locked in Russian banks.

But while Moscow’s retail chains have shown interest in importing Indian food products and other products, Indian exporters continue to face difficulties sending goods to Russia.

New Delhi has raised the issue of stringent standards with Russian officials at the highest levels and these efforts have been appreciated in Moscow, an official said.

The discussions come ahead of a critical meeting next month on a proposed trade deal with the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

India wants Russia to eliminate these trade barriers so that it can utilize the stuck rubles and offer new opportunities to Indian exporters in the Russian market.