Doing business with Russia: Is it a new world order in the Asia-Pacific?

As the West sanctions Russia for its actions in Ukraine, many Asian states are resisting pressure from the West to take a stance on the unfolding conflict

As the West sanctions Russia for its actions in Ukraine, many Asian states are resisting pressure from the West to take a stance on the unfolding conflict.  

Following the invasion, many western nations including the U.S, Australia, Britain and Canada imposed harsh bans on Russian oil purchases – and, because of this other countries are buying Russian oil at a discounted price.

India has come under criticism for purchasing at least 13 million barrels of Russian oil since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February.

In the last week India has further strained relations with Western powers for hosting a meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.

Following the meeting, Lavrov insisted that the two nations would defy western sanctions by continuing to trade with each other.

India not taking sides

Chandran Nair, CEO of pan-Asian think tank The Global Institute for tomorrow, told ticker news that by meeting with Russia, India is simply following its traditionally independent foreign policy.

“We are not going to align with your war in Europe and make it our most important thing” he says

He points to the recent visit of India by U.S diplomats as proof of their neutrality.

In addition to the visit by Lavrov, in the last few weeks, India has hosted China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, U.S Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

Double Standard

Nair likens the war in Ukraine to that of the War on terror, and questions why there was no sanctions for Western powers when they invaded the Middle East.

“Most people in the Asian Pacifc region… have woken up to a glaring double standard” he says.

“No one cared much about the killing of Iraqis, Yemenis, Afghans etc.”

Chandran nair, ceo, The global institute for tomorrow

“If these new measures are being put in place, let’s ensure they are also put in place the next time the United States and the Western allies invade another county”

 “The World has Moved On”

Nair says that the U.S and its allies “are still clinging on to the view that their presence (in Asia) is still needed to ensure security”.

“The region as a whole does not believe that the United States is reliable, that the United States acts in the interests of everyone. I think everyone is aware that like most countries the United States acts in its own interests.”

Chandran nair, ceo, The global institute for tomorrow

He says “the world has moved on” from western reliance.