India walks a diplomatic tightrope, making friends with Ukraine while ally Russia watches on

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ukraine on Friday is likely to be closely watched by New Delhi's long-standing ally, Russia.

The trip comes as India looks to navigate alliances with arch enemies Russia and the West, as one of the few countries to have robust trading and diplomatic relations with both parties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 set off heightened global tensions, sanctions and animosity toward the Kremlin.

Modi's government has looked to remain neutral throughout the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, but has been criticized for maintaining tight trade and diplomatic ties with Moscow. India has refused to condemn the war and has continued to buy discounted Russian oil, despite Western efforts to boycott such energy purchases, whose revenues fund the conflict.

Now, India appears to be seeking closer relations with Ukraine through Modi's visit to Kyiv this week, which comes at the behest of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Modi's trip will be the first by an Indian head of state to Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established over 30 years ago, when the European country achieved independence in 1991.

Rick Rossow, chair in U.S.-India policy studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNBC that "India clearly has a far deeper relationship with Russia" but wanted to build on fledgling bilateral relations with Kyiv.

"For instance, in fiscal year 2021-22, India's goods trade with Ukraine was only around $3.4b [billion], compared to $13b with Russia. And Russia provided access to high-end weaponry which other major producers like the United States have only recently approved for export to India," Rossow said in emailed comments.

"Following the invasion,