• Source:JND
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India has strongly objected to US President Donald Trump’s recent comments on its oil trade with Russia, calling his tariff warning “unreasonable and unjustified.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday issued a statement defending India’s energy decisions, stressing that the country’s oil imports are guided by national interest and economic necessity.

According to the MEA, India started buying more crude oil from Russia due to global disruptions after the Ukraine war began. It pointed out that traditional oil suppliers had redirected exports to Europe, and the US itself had earlier encouraged India to buy Russian oil to support energy market stability.

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India clarified that its decisions were not politically driven. “Our oil purchases aim to provide stable and affordable energy to Indian consumers. These are essential steps to handle changing global market conditions,” the statement said.

The ministry also criticised what it described as “double standards” by Western countries. While India is being questioned for its imports, the US and the European Union continue trading with Russia in several key sectors. The statement mentioned that the EU imported a record 16.5 million tonnes of Russian LNG in 2024, while the US continues to buy commodities like uranium, palladium and fertilisers from Russia.

The Indian government said it would take all steps necessary to protect its economic and national interests. The MEA stressed that India’s trade with Russia is based on practical needs, unlike the West’s trade, which it said does not serve urgent national requirements.

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Trump had accused India of making profits by purchasing large amounts of Russian oil and selling it in the global market. He threatened to increase tariffs on Indian goods as a penalty. On August 1, he signed an executive order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on goods from India. Although the order did not directly link the move to oil or defence deals with Russia, Trump’s comments over the past week have shown growing frustration with India’s stand.

He had also said that India and Russia could “take their dead economies down together” a remark that India responded to by reminding that it remains the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

Despite the tensions, both countries are continuing trade talks. The next round of negotiations is scheduled in New Delhi between August 25 and 29. The discussions are expected to focus on key sticking points such as US demands for greater market access in agriculture, dairy and genetically modified products.