The European Union has warned that its cooperation with India could be undermined by New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil and its participation in military exercises with Moscow, foreign policy chief Kaia Kalas was quoted as saying by AFP.
"Our partnership is not just about trade, but also about defending the rules-based international order, Kalas said as she presented a new strategy from Brussels to strengthen relations. Participation in military exercises, oil purchases - all these are obstacles to our cooperation when it comes to deepening ties."
But she admitted that the EU does not believe India will "completely disengage" from Russia and both sides are keen to discuss their problems.
The 27-member bloc is pushing for a trade deal with India and to strengthen ties in areas such as defence.
Along with other allies of Moscow, including Iran, India is taking part in Russia's joint exercises with Belarus "Zapad" this month, some of which took place close to NATO borders.
India is a major buyer of Russian oil - saving billions of dollars and providing a much-needed export market for Moscow after it was cut off from traditional buyers in Europe over the war in Ukraine.
Last week, US President Donald Trump urged the EU to impose steep tariffs on India and China to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.
But EU diplomats say that is unlikely, although it could take steps against Russian entities in India, as in a previous package of sanctions against Moscow.
Despite the lack of agreement on Russia, the EU and India are also working to conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement by the end of 2025, amid New Delhi's own tensions with Washington.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted in an article in X that "now is the time to double down on partnerships", reiterating hopes of finalising a trade deal by the end of this year.
But its trade minister, Maroš Šefčovič, sounded pessimistic, saying he "had hoped for more progress" during a visit to India last week.
However, he stressed the importance of deepening EU ties with different countries, otherwise "this void is being filled by China and other players".
The EU is India's biggest trading partner, with trade between the two economic giants increasing by 90% in the past decade, Šefčovič said alongside Kallas in Brussels.
Senior figures from India and the EU hope to meet at a high-level summit early next year.