Overview

• In a Bloomberg podcast published Sept. 24, President Alexander Stubb said he “wouldn’t put India in the same basket” as Russia and China and urged Western capitals to work with New Delhi.
• He contrasted India with what he described as a direct, asymmetrical Russia–China partnership that, through energy and technology links, helps enable Moscow’s war.
• Stubb has argued for India’s involvement in efforts around Ukraine, referencing a recent call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and remarks at the Helsinki Security Forum.
• He is pushing for tighter Europe–India ties on trade and frontier technologies, supporting a swift India–EU free trade deal and cooperation in AI, 6G, quantum and cybersecurity.
• The appeal comes as Western scrutiny of India’s purchases of Russian crude grows, including U.S. tariff penalties that critics say connect the trade to funding Russia’s war.