India has hit back at criticism from US President Donald Trump over its oil imports from Russia, calling it an “economic compulsion” driven by global market realities.
The country also accused the United States and the European Union of hypocrisy, pointing to their own sizeable trade with Russia even after the Ukraine war began.
Oil imports a necessity, not a choice
In a detailed statement issued on Monday night, India’s Ministry of External Affairs defended its decision to import Russian oil, explaining that it was not a political choice but a response to a shifting global energy landscape.
India emphasized that affordable and predictable energy costs are vital for the country’s economic security and its large population. The spokesperson described the criticism from Western nations as unjustified, particularly when those same countries continue to trade extensively with Moscow.
Europe and US continue major trade with Russia
Highlighting what it called a double standard, India pointed to the European Union’s trade figures, revealing that Europe traded goods worth €67.5 billion with Russia in 2024 alone. In addition, services worth €17.2 billion were exchanged in 2023.
European imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) also hit a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024, surpassing previous years despite public criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
India noted that EU-Russia trade extends beyond energy and includes fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, machinery, and steel.
Meanwhile, the US continues to import uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear power sector, palladium for electric vehicles, and various chemicals and fertilizers from Russia.
India rejects political pressure
India firmly rejected what it sees as selective scrutiny of its trade decisions. “Unlike our case, such trade [by the West] is not even a vital national compulsion,” the spokesperson noted.
India reiterated that, as a major global economy, it will make decisions based on its national interests and energy needs, not external pressure.
Earlier today, US President Donald Trump announced plans to “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian imports over New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil — a move he says undermines global efforts to halt Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump accused India of not only purchasing “massive amounts” of Russian oil, but also reselling much of 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,” Trump wrote. “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”
