India has firmly rejected criticism from the United States and the European Union regarding its procurement of Russian crude oil, asserting its right to prioritize its energy needs and calling out the double standards in the West's own trade relations with Russia. This comes in the wake of increased pressure from the U.S., with President Donald Trump threatening to impose higher tariffs on Indian goods in response to New Delhi's continued oil imports from Moscow.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong statement, labeling the targeting of India as "unjustified and unreasonable". The ministry emphasized that India's energy ties with Russia are driven by national necessity to ensure affordable energy for its consumers, and are significantly smaller in scale compared to the trade between Russia and Western nations. The MEA also pointed out that India began importing from Russia because traditional suppliers were diverted to Europe following the Ukraine conflict. The U.S. even encouraged these imports initially to stabilize global energy markets.
India has always maintained that Russia is a "close, all-weather friend" and that it will not be coerced into redefining its foreign policies due to pressure from other countries. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India prioritizes its citizens' needs and will buy oil from the most affordable source.
The MEA's statement highlighted the continuing trade relations between the U.S. and the EU with Russia, encompassing not just energy but also fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, iron, steel, machinery, and transport equipment. Specifically, the U.S. continues to import uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its electric vehicle industry, fertilizers, and chemicals from Russia.
India's oil imports from Russia have increased significantly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, rising from a negligible percentage to over 35% of its total imports. This has made Russia India's top oil supplier. Despite warnings of potential punitive measures and concerns over supporting Russia's campaign in Ukraine, India continues to receive millions of barrels of Russian crude at its refineries.
The U.S. has expressed its frustration with India's stance, with some officials even accusing India of financing Russia's war. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller stated that it is "not acceptable" for India to continue purchasing oil from Russia. Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from India, as well as an additional import tax, due to New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil.
Despite the pressure, India has shown no signs of halting its oil imports from Russia. Government sources have indicated that India will continue to make its own decisions based on what is available and affordable, irrespective of external pressure. This stance is underpinned by India's heavy reliance on oil imports, which account for 87% of its needs. Furthermore, India's long-standing ties with Russia and its need to balance geopolitical interests also play a role in its decision-making.
Some analysts believe that the U.S.'s tough stance is aimed at pressuring Russia, while others see it as a tactic to get India to agree to trade terms set by Washington. The U.S. wants to reduce its trade deficit with India.
