Moscow: Amid rising geopolitical friction over energy trade, Russia has come out strongly in support of India’s sovereign right to purchase oil from Moscow, in response to threats of punitive tariffs from former US President Donald Trump. The US leader, who recently announced sweeping sanctions against Russia and any nation continuing energy ties with it, warned of consequences unless Moscow steps back from its Ukraine campaign.
But the Kremlin brushed off the threats, calling them illegal and coercive. “We hear many statements that are in fact threats, attempts to force countries to cut trade relations with Russia. We do not consider such statements to be legal,” said Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Reinforcing Russia’s backing of India, Peskov emphasized, “Sovereign nations should and do have the right to choose their own trading partners and economic cooperation routes, based on national interest.” His remarks came amid growing Western pressure on nations like India that continue to engage in oil trade with Russia despite the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
India, for its part, minced no words in rejecting the latest US warnings. Terming the tariff threats "unjustified", New Delhi reaffirmed its intention to defend its economic sovereignty. “India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Indian officials also pointed out the apparent hypocrisy of Western nations. “Countries that are vocally criticizing India for its Russian oil imports are themselves continuing trade with Moscow under far less pressing circumstances,” said one government source.
The Indian side reminded the US that in the early days of the Ukraine war, Washington had tacitly encouraged New Delhi to diversify its energy sources including buying from Russia to stabilize global prices. Now, as India's refiners emerge as key players in global oil processing, the tide of international opinion appears to be shifting against them.
Two top Indian government officials confirmed to Reuters that the country would continue its oil imports from Russia, regardless of threats from Washington. “Our purchases are guided by national interest and price viability, not political pressure,” one of them said.
Meanwhile, President Putin appears unmoved by Trump's sanctions ultimatum, with no sign of softening Russia’s stance on Ukraine. The situation raises new questions about how far the US will go in its bid to isolate Moscow and how much friction this could spark with major global players like India.
As the war drags on, the rift between emerging multipolar alliances and old-world sanctions regimes continues to deepen. And in that shifting balance, India is making it clear that it will not compromise its autonomy.