Group 1: Oil Imports and Economic Impact - India's reliance on Russian oil has become more pronounced, with the country increasing its imports despite U.S. pressure, resulting in a nearly 30% reduction in India's trade surplus with the U.S. due to a 50% tariff on Indian goods [5][9] - The average price of oil imported from Russia is $12 per barrel lower than the international market, allowing India to earn an average profit of $89 per ton by refining and reselling it to Western markets, totaling over $6 billion in profits in the first nine months of the year [7][9] - India's private refining companies, such as Reliance Industries, are the primary beneficiaries of this profitable model, which has significantly contributed to the country's energy revenue [7] Group 2: Rare Earth Elements and Strategic Choices - Indian companies have committed to using rare earths sourced from China solely for domestic production, explicitly stating they will not resell to the U.S., indicating a strategic choice amid U.S.-China tensions [3][11] - Approximately 60% of India's rare earth imports come from China, valued at over 3 billion rupees, highlighting India's dependency on Chinese resources for critical manufacturing [11][14] - Despite deepening cooperation with China in rare earths, India is also negotiating with Australia for rare earth mining and plans to invest $2 billion in domestic production capabilities, reflecting a pragmatic approach to balancing relationships [13][14] Group 3: Geopolitical Implications - The U.S. pressure on India to reduce oil imports from Russia has backfired, leading to an increase in Russian oil imports beyond initial plans, demonstrating India's firm stance against external coercion [9][16] - The U.S. military plans have been affected by India's rare earth decisions, with delays in the F-35 upgrade program and a 30% reduction in production at Tesla's Texas factory due to rare earth shortages [11][17] - India's approach of balancing relations with both the U.S. and China, while prioritizing national interests, showcases its traditional strategy of "hedging" in international relations [13][17]
莫迪做出选择,大幅买俄油,还通告全球,绝不将中国稀土卖给美国