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People ascribe a different moral calculation for continuing to buy Russian oil and gas and newly buying Russian oil and gas. The end effect is the same, Russia gets money in return for its fossil fuels. But the rhetoric and the morality ascribed to each is different. Should it be? I don't know.

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If that's your argument, Russia has been India's only long time friend while the west was in a cold war with USSR.

India is CONTINUING the relationship. Why did west START?

Didn't Germany INCREASE dependence on Russia even after Crimea?

I'm not making a case either way. I'm stating why I think this is being raised as an issue. You are absolutely right in that moving the conversation to be about the relationships of the two countries makes a big difference in how one may feel about the ethics of the issue. People do place a great stock in loyalty and friendship, even among nations.

If Russia is India’s “friend”, they’re the type of friend you’re better off without unless you don’t mind having your life ruined over that friendship.

There are no friends here. It’s a juvenile idea. The point is that India is a poor country with big energy demands. This is a good deal. Passing it up over “moral” reasons is pretty stupid.

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