NEW DELHI — The Indian government has issued a sharp and unapologetic response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods over continued oil imports from Russia. Calling the accusation “unjustified and unreasonable,” India defended its energy policies and challenged the fairness of the criticism.
In a statement released on Monday, the government emphasized that India will not compromise on its national interest and will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens.
Oil Trade Rooted in Necessity, Not Strategy
India clarified that its decision to import Russian oil is driven by economic pragmatism, not politics. The statement noted that traditional oil supplies were diverted to Europe in the wake of the Ukraine war, pushing India to seek alternative sources.
“India’s energy imports are designed to ensure affordability and stability for domestic consumers,” the statement said. “The same countries criticizing India are themselves engaged in significant trade with Russia.”
This remark directly addresses growing Western scrutiny over India’s energy ties with Moscow and aims to highlight a perceived double standard in the global debate.
Trump’s Accusations Escalate Tensions
President Trump, in a social media post earlier this week, accused India of profiting from Russian oil by allegedly reselling it on the open market. He wrote:
“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine.”
He warned that India could face “substantially higher tariffs” if it continued such practices.
India Highlights Western Trade with Russia
In a direct rebuttal, India highlighted the scale of ongoing Western trade with Russia, pointing out that:
- The European Union traded €67.5 billion with Russia in 2024.
- EU’s LNG imports from Russia hit a record 16.5 million tonnes last year.
- The U.S. continues to import critical materials like uranium hexafluoride and palladium from Russia, used in its nuclear energy and electric vehicle sectors.
“In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,” the government reiterated.
Navigating Complex Global Realities
As global power dynamics shift, India finds itself under pressure to align more closely with Western strategic interests. But officials in New Delhi maintain that India’s foreign policy is guided by strategic autonomy, and that energy procurement decisions are economic, not ideological.
Commerce Ministry sources also indicated that the U.S. tariff threats are being closely studied and that retaliatory measures have not been ruled out if Washington follows through.
Looking Ahead
This latest exchange marks a growing tension between two major democracies navigating a fractured geopolitical landscape. While the U.S. seeks to curb Russia’s revenue streams amid the Ukraine conflict, India continues to assert its right to act independently in the face of global instability.
Whether Trump’s threats materialize into trade action — or trigger a deeper diplomatic rift — remains to be seen. For now, India has made it clear: it will not be lectured on national interest.
