New Delhi, Aug 5 (Alliance News): India’s Foreign Ministry on Monday strongly rejected what it described as “unjustified and unreasonable” criticism from the United States and the European Union over its continued import of Russian oil, defending its position as one based on national interest and economic necessity.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a pointed statement after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on Indian exports in response to India’s oil trade with Russia.
“The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,” Jaiswal said. “Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”
The Indian government did not disclose specific countermeasures it may adopt, but the firm tone underscored its growing assertiveness in defending energy choices made amid global geopolitical tensions.
India has emerged as a major purchaser of Russian crude since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2022. As Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow, India stepped in to fill the vacuum, securing discounted oil supplies that saved the country billions of dollars.
Those imports have also helped stabilize India’s domestic energy market during a period of high global inflation, while simultaneously providing Russia a crucial export lifeline.
New Delhi pushed back on Western criticism by pointing out that its purchases only began after traditional oil suppliers redirected their exports toward Europe, which faced its own energy crisis due to the conflict.
“India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict,” said the statement.
Moreover, India reminded the global community that in the early phase of the war, both Washington and its European allies had “actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability.”
Jaiswal also accused the United States and European Union of hypocrisy, citing ongoing trade activities between those nations and Russia, despite their public condemnations.
“It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia,” he said. “Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion.”
India highlighted a range of imports still being sourced by the West from Russia. For instance, the United States continues to import uranium hexafluoride used in its nuclear power plants, as well as palladium crucial to its electric vehicle industry.
Fertilizers and various chemicals also remain part of the US-Russia trade stream.
European countries, according to India, continue to import fertilizers, mining products, iron and steel, machinery, and transport equipment from Russia. These trades have reportedly persisted despite stringent sanctions that European powers claim to uphold.
Jaiswal emphasized that India’s engagement with Russia was strategic and essential. “Our actions are not about opportunism—they are rooted in vital national needs,” he reiterated.
Tensions escalated after former US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that India was “buying massive amounts of Russian oil” and reselling it for “big profits.” He added, “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”
Although Trump did not specify the extent of the tariff increase, reports suggest that an existing 10% US tariff on Indian goods is expected to climb to 25% by Thursday.
Trump’s remarks come at a time when US-India relations are being carefully managed, especially as Washington seeks to strengthen alliances in Asia to counterbalance Chinese influence. Trade between the two countries has grown steadily in recent years.
The United States is currently India’s largest trading partner, with Indian exports reaching $87.4 billion in 2024. However, India continues to run a significant trade surplus with the US—nearly $46 billion in the same year—which has drawn the ire of American policymakers in the past.
India was one of the first major economies to open wider trade talks with the Trump administration during his first term, which saw mixed results due to differing views on tariffs, agriculture, and digital data localization.
India’s current standoff with Western powers over its Russian oil imports is not only about energy but also about asserting its independent foreign policy in a multipolar world.
Analysts say India is walking a tightrope—maintaining deepening defense and strategic ties with the US while refusing to abandon old partnerships with countries like Russia that still offer geopolitical and economic benefits.
Meanwhile, the European Union and the United Kingdom last month introduced new economic measures aimed at Russia, including lowering the price cap on Russian oil exports to squeeze Moscow’s revenues.
The move was another attempt to pressure the Kremlin into ending the Ukraine war, but its impact has been muted due to buyers like India, China, and several African countries continuing trade with Russia.
India has consistently maintained a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine, calling for dialogue and diplomacy while avoiding open criticism of Moscow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has occasionally expressed concern over the conflict but refrained from supporting Western sanctions or directly blaming Russia.
Experts believe the latest escalation of rhetoric from the West—particularly from Trump—may be politically motivated. Trump, who is campaigning for a return to the White House in 2025, has used trade pressure in the past as a tool of diplomacy and domestic political messaging.
Indian officials, however, appear unfazed by such threats. One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that “India will continue to pursue energy deals that benefit its people. The world should recognize that our choices are based on economic necessity, not geopolitical rivalry.”
India’s energy landscape is deeply reliant on imports, and with over 80% of its oil needs met through foreign suppliers, any disruption in access or pricing can have immediate effects on inflation and public sentiment.
As the standoff intensifies, the coming days will test how far the US and EU are willing to go in pressuring India—and how India balances diplomacy with economic pragmatism.
