India has firmly rejected the United Kingdom's latest sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector and Indian firms, asserting its sovereign right to prioritize its energy security and dismissing the legitimacy of "unilateral curbs". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has emphasized that India, as a responsible global actor, adheres to its legal obligations but will not accept double standards, especially concerning energy trade.
The UK's sanctions, announced recently, targeted 90 entities, including India's Nayara Energy, in an attempt to curtail Russian revenue streams financing the war in Ukraine. These measures, which include asset freezes, director disqualifications, and transport restrictions, aim to strike at the heart of Putin's war funding by limiting Russia's access to global energy markets. The UK government stated that Nayara Energy imported 100 million barrels of Russian oil worth over $5 billion in 2024 alone. The sanctions also directly target Russian energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures. He stressed that securing basic energy needs is a paramount responsibility for the Indian government. India has consistently maintained that it only recognizes sanctions imposed by the United Nations, not those unilaterally imposed by individual countries or groups of countries. In 2010, then Foreign Minister Nirupama Rao voiced concerns about the "extra-territorial nature" of unilateral sanctions and their adverse impact on Indian companies and energy security.
India's stance is rooted in its long-standing foreign policy of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment. This approach allows India to pursue its national interests, including energy security, without succumbing to external pressures. India's leaders have, in the past, interpreted such sanctions as attempts to suppress India's development and have asserted their right to pursue policies in the national interest.
This is not the first time India has faced such a situation. India has previously navigated similar challenges concerning Iran and, more recently, Russia. Despite concerns over Iran's nuclear program, India has refrained from endorsing unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S.. Similarly, India has capitalized on severed Western-Russian ties to increase its purchases of Russian energy, leading to unprecedented growth in bilateral trade.
Nayara Energy has also refuted the allegations, stating that it operates in full compliance with Indian laws and regulations and is committed to supporting India's energy security and economic growth. The company had previously denounced similar sanctions by the EU as "baseless," claiming they ignored international law and India's sovereignty.
The UK's actions place India in a difficult position, balancing its relationships with Western allies and its energy security needs. The timing of the sanctions is noteworthy, as they come shortly after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's trade delegation visit to Mumbai and the signing of a comprehensive free trade agreement between the two nations. Despite the sanctions, the Indian government remains committed to its energy security and its right to engage in trade that serves its national interests.
