India has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods, defending its decision to import Russian oil and pointing out the continued trade between the West and Moscow.
In a sharply worded statement issued late Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs said India’s energy purchases from Russia are driven by necessity due to shifts in the global market. The ministry added that countries now criticizing India have themselves continued trade ties with Russia, even when not under similar pressures.
“Several of these nations are engaged in trade with Russia, including in sectors beyond energy, despite having no compelling economic need,” the statement said.
India’s response comes after Trump announced plans to raise tariffs on Indian imports, citing New Delhi’s continued oil trade with Russia. He warned of a potential 100% tariff on imports from countries that continue purchasing Russian crude, unless Moscow agrees to a peace deal with Ukraine by August 7–9. A 25% tariff on Indian goods is already set to take effect from August 7.
In its rebuttal, India highlighted the scale of Western trade with Russia. The government pointed out that the European Union recorded €67.5 billion in goods trade with Russia in 2024, along with €17.2 billion in services the previous year. LNG imports alone hit a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024.
Europe’s purchases, it said, went beyond energy to include key sectors like fertilizers, chemicals, iron and steel, and industrial machinery.
The United States, India noted, continues to import materials from Russia such as uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear sector, palladium for electric vehicle production, fertilizers, and various chemicals.
India defended its increased oil imports from Russia, saying the decision was made when traditional suppliers in the Middle East began diverting shipments to Europe following the Ukraine war. At that time, Washington had even encouraged India to buy from Russia to help stabilize the global energy market, the statement added.
“India will take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests and energy security,” the ministry asserted.
Before the Ukraine conflict, India sourced most of its crude oil from the Gulf. But after Russia began offering discounted prices due to Western sanctions, India shifted its procurement strategy.
The ongoing dispute comes amid growing global tensions over energy security, with countries balancing geopolitical interests against economic needs.
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