India has firmly responded to warnings from NATO regarding potential sanctions for countries, including India, that continue to trade with Russia, particularly in oil. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has asserted that securing the nation's energy needs is an "overriding priority," emphasizing that India's procurement decisions are guided by market availability and prevailing global circumstances.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal cautioned against "double standards," a veiled reference to the fact that some European nations continue to import Russian energy despite calls for sanctions. He reiterated that India is closely monitoring developments related to the issue. Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Puri has stated India has expanded its oil import network from 27 to 40 countries. Puri has also expressed confidence that India can manage its energy needs, even if supplies from Russia are disrupted. He stated that India has enough supply options to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, echoing US President Donald Trump's position, warned that countries like India, China, and Brazil could face "100 percent secondary sanctions" for buying Russian oil. Rutte urged these nations to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in serious peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, further stating that these nations could be negatively affected if they continued trading with Russia. US President Donald Trump has also warned countries buying Russian oil, saying they could face tariffs if Moscow fails to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine within 50 days. US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal are pushing for the "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025," which could impose penalties.
India has been increasing its imports of Russian crude oil since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in early 2022. Discounted Russian oil has helped India manage its foreign exchange outflow for energy. As of July 2025, Russia accounts for 42% of India's total oil imports. India has also been exporting refined petroleum products made from Russian crude to other countries.
Despite the pressure from the West, India has maintained that it will continue to pursue its national interests and ensure its energy security. The country has consistently asserted its right to make independent foreign policy decisions. Some experts have warned that the proposed secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil could disrupt Indian supplies and increase the country's oil import bill. However, Puri stated that he was not worried about potential sanctions and that India would find alternative suppliers if necessary. He also noted that there are new players coming into the oil market which will likely bring crude prices down.
