India has sharply pushed back against pressure from the United States and the European Union over its purchase of Russian oil, accusing the Western powers of “double standards” and hypocrisy. The move came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian goods.
In a terse statement on August 4, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said the criticism and threats were “unjustified and unreasonable.” He asserted that India would “take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”
Jaiswal’s statement directly countered claims that India’s trade with Russia was out of line with Western behavior. He pointed out that India began importing large volumes of Russian oil only after “traditional supplies were diverted to Europe” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He also revealed that the U.S. had “actively encouraged” these imports at the time to stabilize global energy markets.
The MEA spokesperson highlighted that the EU’s total trade with Russia in 2024 was worth more than India’s, with Europe even recording a record high in imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). He also noted that the U.S. continues to import Russian goods, including uranium for its nuclear industry and palladium for its EV sector.
This strong response from India follows a period of escalating tensions. In late July, the EU sanctioned Nayara, an Indian oil refiner with Russian ownership, and banned the import of refined products made from Russian crude. President Trump also announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, which is set to take effect on August 7, and threatened to increase it further.
