India Responds To Trump Over Accusations Of Buying Oil From Russia
- 4.08.2025, 21:22
New Delhi rebuked the West over trade with Russian Federation.
India has been forced to buy oil from Russia due to Western actions, among other things, and is now being criticized for this, with the critic countries also importing goods from Russia, the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"It is noteworthy that the very countries that criticize India continue to trade with Russia themselves. Unlike in our case, their trade is not dictated by a vital national need," the ministry said in a statement to X.
New Delhi attributed the purchase of Russian oil to the fact that after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, traditional suppliers diverted their oil to Europe. "At that time, the US actively encouraged such purchases by India to strengthen the stability of global energy markets," the Indian Foreign Ministry pointed out.
The Indian government, through such purchases, is trying to ensure "stable and affordable energy prices" for its consumers.
India noted that the EU continues to buy energy, fertilizers, steel products, etc., from Russia, while the US also buys fertilizers, chemicals, uranium hexafluoride for nuclear industry, etc.
"The criticism against India is unwarranted and unfair. Like any large economy, India will take all necessary measures to protect its national interests and economic security," the country's Foreign Ministry concluded.
The statement was issued after US President Donald Trump threatened India with higher duties as it is not just buying Russian oil but profiting from its resale. By how much the duties would be increased, he did not specify. According to a White House statement on August 1, the US wants to impose a 25% tariff on India.
But for buying oil from Russia, the Indian side could face a duty of 100% and even 500% on goods shipped to the US. Trump has issued an ultimatum to Moscow that if a ceasefire in Ukraine is not reached by August 8, this kind of secondary sanctions will be put in place.