Russia Dismisses US Sanctions on India Over Russian Crude as 'Double Standards'
US tariffs on India for Russian oil deemed unjustified.
Russia has sharply criticized the United States for imposing “unjustified” pressure on India over its purchase of Russian crude oil, amid escalating tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order slapping a 25% additional tariff on Indian goods. The punitive measure, part of a broader 50% tariff hike on Indian exports, targets New Delhi’s continued procurement of discounted Russian oil, which has surged to 35.1% of India’s total oil imports in 2024-25, up from just 1.7% in 2019-20.
Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin, speaking at a media briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday, expressed confidence in the resilience of India-Russia energy cooperation despite external pressures. “We have trust in our ties with New Delhi,” Babushkin stated, describing the U.S. actions as unwarranted and emphasizing that Western sanctions are backfiring on those imposing them. He highlighted the challenging situation India faces but underscored the strong bilateral relationship that continues to drive energy trade.
India has defended its oil purchases from Russia, citing national interest and market dynamics. The shift to Russian oil began after Western sanctions on Moscow, prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, led to discounted supplies that India capitalized on to meet its energy needs. Russia has since become India’s largest oil supplier, a development that has drawn scrutiny from the U.S., which seeks to curb Russia’s global energy influence.
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Babushkin also noted the growing role of BRICS as a stabilizing force amid global economic and geopolitical turbulence, suggesting that platforms like BRICS could bolster India-Russia ties in the face of Western pushback. The U.S. tariffs have strained India-U.S. relations, with New Delhi arguing that its energy choices are sovereign decisions driven by economic pragmatism. As global energy markets remain volatile, India’s balancing act between strategic partnerships and economic interests continues to shape its foreign policy landscape.
