In the aftermath of former US President Donald Trump’s remarks warning that tariffs on Indian products could increase substantially, New Delhi issued a direct rebuttal, questioning the motives behind the US stance. Trump’s comments came after India’s oil imports from Russia surged, driven largely by the war in Ukraine and the global energy crunch. The Indian government emphasised that its decision to source oil from Russia was a necessary step in securing its energy supply, in light of rising global fuel prices and strained relationships with traditional oil exporters.
India’s foreign ministry did not mince words, accusing the US of double standards, pointing to Washington’s encouragement of similar imports from Russia at the outset of the Ukraine conflict. According to India, the US had actively pushed for its allies to seek oil and gas from alternative sources, including Russia, when the European Union and the United States imposed sanctions. It further stated that the US and European nations have continued trade ties with Russia, underscoring the inconsistency in their criticisms of India’s dealings.
The foreign ministry also addressed the European Union’s position on Indian refineries exporting refined Russian crude, calling out what it termed the EU’s "unilateral" targeting of Indian companies. India’s response came as part of a broader narrative questioning Western nations’ selective criticism of countries that continue to engage in trade with Russia, despite official sanctions.
Key officials in New Delhi argue that the government’s priority is to ensure the country’s energy security amidst global volatility, and they stressed that such decisions were not influenced by geopolitical considerations but were instead rooted in economic necessity. The geopolitical landscape, they noted, had changed since the Ukraine conflict began, leading to new dynamics in the global energy market. With the EU and the US imposing various sanctions on Russia, including restrictions on energy exports, countries like India and China have become critical partners for Russia, tapping into discounted crude oil that is otherwise less available to Western nations.
India’s robust energy consumption, driven by its growing economy and rising population, makes it one of the largest consumers of oil globally. However, as Western sanctions on Russia have reduced global supply chains, India has been forced to adapt by expanding its import base. For India, Russia has become a key partner in supplying crude at competitive prices, which has helped alleviate the strain on its own economy, particularly in terms of stabilising domestic energy prices.
Although India has consistently avoided taking sides in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, New Delhi has made it clear that its foreign policy is guided by national interests, rather than external pressures. India’s energy demands are expected to continue growing, and securing stable energy imports is seen as paramount to the country’s development trajectory. The government has repeatedly stressed that while it continues to engage in dialogue with Western powers, its energy strategy will not be dictated by geopolitical disputes.
This latest diplomatic clash underscores a growing rift between India and the West over energy policy. The US, which has taken a hard stance against Russia through sanctions, is now faced with the challenge of balancing its criticism of India’s oil trade while managing its own complex energy relationships. Meanwhile, India remains steadfast in its policy of pragmatism, prioritising energy security while maintaining its non-aligned stance on global political issues.