India responded forcefully to recent threats from President Donald Trump regarding its continued purchase of Russian oil. The Indian government accused the United States and the European Union of 'duplicity' in their criticism, pointing out that both entities maintain significant trade relations with Moscow.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement calling the targeting of India's oil imports from Russia 'unjustified and unreasonable.' The ministry emphasised that this criticism ignores the substantial and continued trade that Western nations themselves conduct with Russia.
Responding directly to Trump’s threat to 'substantially' raise tariffs on India, the MEA explained that India's decision to buy discounted Russian oil was a direct result of the Ukraine conflict. The war had prompted traditional energy suppliers to redirect their exports towards Europe, which in turn forced India to seek alternative sources. The MEA also noted that at the time, the US had even encouraged India to make these purchases to help stabilise global energy markets.
The ministry underscored that India's energy imports from Russia are a matter of 'necessity' aimed at ensuring 'affordable and predictable energy costs' for its citizens. "It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion," the statement read.
To highlight this disparity, the MEA cited bilateral trade figures, noting that trade between the European Union and Russia in 2024 was 'significantly more than India’s total trade with Russia that year or subsequently.' The ministry also pointed out that the United States 'continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers as well as chemicals.'
Earlier, on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump had threatened India, stating, "They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA."
In a strong rebuttal, the MEA asserted that India would continue to act in accordance with its own national interest and economic security. The ministry's statement concluded by saying that attempts to single out India ignore the broader context of global trade realities. India has consistently maintained that its foreign policy decisions, including its energy partnerships, are independent and guided by pragmatic considerations, particularly in the face of volatile global markets.
Also Read: India’s state-run oil firms suspend Russian crude purchases
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