The year began on a high note for the European Union and India. In February, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited New Delhi and, alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, instructed officials to resolve remaining differences and move forward on a long-delayed free trade agreement.

But that momentum was disrupted in July, when India was drawn into the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia. The move targets New Delhi's refining of discounted Russian crude and the export of those products, some of which are sold to Europe.

Could this sanctions development derail a potential EU-India trade deal? Experts argue it won't, saying the US threat of imposing tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods poses a far greater challenge than the impact of the EU's sanctions. And, paradoxically, that may work in the EU's favor.

As part of efforts to cut off funding for Russia's war in Ukraine, the EU last month banned imports of refined petroleum products originating from........

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