New Delhi — India has issued a sharp response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of steeper tariffs, calling out what it described as unfair targeting over its Russian oil imports while highlighting ongoing trade between Russia, the EU, and the U.S.
The External Affairs Ministry said India turned to Russian oil only after traditional suppliers redirected supplies to Europe following the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war. It added that purchases were a matter of national energy security and made with transparency.
“The very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,” the ministry stated.
India’s remarks came hours after Trump warned of “substantially raising” tariffs on Indian goods in a social media post. He previously suggested a 25% duty and an unspecified penalty, accusing India of buying discounted Russian oil and profiting by reselling it.
Indian officials countered by referencing data showing the EU’s trade with Russia reached €67.5 billion in goods and €17.2 billion in services. India’s total trade with Russia for FY2024-25 stood at $68.7 billion, up nearly sixfold from pre-pandemic levels.
India also highlighted that the U.S. continues to import Russian goods, including uranium, palladium, and chemicals, despite reduced trade volumes, $5.2 billion in 2024 versus $36 billion in 2021. No reciprocal tariffs have been imposed on Russia, the ministry noted.
“The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,” it said, adding that India will take all steps necessary to protect its economic security.
Energy Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently said India’s purchases helped stabilize global oil prices, an action encouraged by the U.S. during periods of global market instability. “If we hadn’t, oil would have hit $130 per barrel,” he told CNBC.
Experts say India is caught in the middle of broader geopolitical and trade tensions. “India’s concerns are not without merit,” said Rachel Ziemba, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. “The previous U.S. administration created the price cap framework that supported India’s oil trade shift.”
With no clarity on Trump’s next move, India signaled it would defend its strategic autonomy in energy and trade.
