New Delhi
For the past few weeks, a new storm has arisen on the stage of global diplomacy and business. US President Donald Trump has threatened India for 25% tariffs and additional penalty to buy oil and weapons from Russia. He claims that India is buying cheaper oil from Russia and selling it for profits in the international market, which is providing financial assistance to Russia in Ukraine War. But this story is not as straight as it appears. A statement by former US Ambassador Eric Garcéeti in India is becoming viral again, which is clearly visible in the story of America. Garcheti said last year that the US itself wanted India to buy oil from Russia so that the global energy market remained stable. Then why this retaliation and threats now? Is it the hypocrisy of America or Trump’s diplomatic bogus? Let us understand this issue in detail.
America’s double face
Western countries imposed strict sanctions on Russia after the Russia-Ukraine War began in 2022. As a result, Russia began selling its oil at concessional rates. India, which imports more than 80% of its energy needs, took advantage of this opportunity. India not only ensured its energy security by purchasing cheap oil from Russia, but also contributed to stabilizing oil prices in the global market. At that time, the US not only accepted India’s move, but also encouraged it. The then US Ambassador to India Eric Garcisee clearly stated that India’s purchasing oil from Russia is necessary for the stability of the global energy market. Speaking at the ‘Conference on Diversity in International Affairs’ in 2024 last year, Garchey said, “India bought Russian oil because we wanted someone to buy a dandruff on a price limit (price cap). It was not a violation, but it was part of the policy, because we did not want the oil prices to rise, and India did it.”
But now the same America is accusing India of adopting double standards. Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social Social, “India is not only buying a huge amount of oil from Russia, but is also earning profits by selling it in the international market. They are not cared for the human tragedy caused by the Russian war machine in Ukraine.” This statement not only justifies India’s energy policy, but also forgets that this step of India was taken with the consent of America.
India’s energy policy and national interest paramount
India is the third largest oil importer in the world, and Russia has become its largest oil supplier. About 35-40% of India’s total oil supply comes from Russia since 2022. This cheap oil has proved to be a boon for India’s economy. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that India has options for oil supply apart from Russia, such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE and Brazil. But buying cheaper oil from Russia is in the national interest of India, because it keeps the prices of petrol and diesel controlled in the country and curb inflation.
India’s Foreign Ministry has also taken a tough stand on this issue. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India’s energy policy is based on national interest and compulsions in the global market. Criticism of America and European countries is unfair, especially when these countries are trading from Russia themselves.” India showed with data that in 2024 there was a 67.5 billion euro trade between the European Union and Russia, more than the Indo-Russia trade. The question arises that when Europe and America themselves are trading from Russia, then why is India being targeted?
Trump’s bogus: India vs China
Another contradiction in Trump’s threats is clearly visible. He is threatening tariffs and penalty for India to buy oil from Russia, but his voice in China’s case is relatively soft. China is the largest buyer of Russia’s oil, which buys 47% of Russia’s total oil exports. Nevertheless, Trump did not show as strict against China as against India. Some analysts believe that this may be part of Trump’s diplomatic strategy. China is a major trading rival for the US and Trump probably does not want to intensify the trade war with China. On the other hand, India is considered an easy target, because the element of friendship in Indo-US relations is strong.
Target India for its profit
The United States has recently been a rare economy deal with Ukraine, under which it wants to exploit Ukraine’s huge mineral resources, such as lithium, titanium and rare meaning elements. This deal is strategically important for the US, as these minerals are essential for high-tech industries, defense and renewable energy. The US believes that mining of these resources is becoming difficult due to the Ukraine-Russia war, so it is taking steps towards ending the war soon. Through this deal, the US not only wants to secure its mineral supply, but also to reduce dependence on rivals like China, which is the largest producer of these minerals. However, when the US was unable to directly influence Russia, it changed the strategy to target Russia’s close colleagues, such as India,.
Tariff’s impact on India
If Trump’s threat becomes a reality, India may have to suffer losses on many fronts. India exports $ 83 billion goods to the US every year, including pharmaceuticals, textile and IT services. With the implementation of 25% tariffs, these goods will become expensive in the US market, which will affect India’s exports. Also, if India stops buying oil from Russia, it will have to buy expensive oil from middle East or other sources. This can increase the prices of petrol and diesel, which will directly affect the Indian middle class and the economy.
However, India has refused to bow down to this pressure. The Ministry of External Affairs has clearly stated that India will give priority to its energy security and national interests. Some Indian oil refineries have temporarily stopped oil imports from Russia, but private companies like Reliance and Naira are still buying oil from Russia. This shows that India maintains its independent policy.
India gave a befitting reply to Trump’s tariff threat, exposed the double standard of America and EU
America considers itself to be the Chaudhary of the world. Threatens tariff to everyone on talk. But India is also not the earlier India. This is a new India. Do not live quietly. When a country raises eyes, he gives a befitting reply. India has done something similar on Donald Trump’s tariff threat. India has given the biggest response to US President Donald Trump’s tariff threat so far. The Ministry of External Affairs not only responded, but opened the thread of America and EU and said that if you do it, then it is wrong.
On the double standard of America, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a clear tone that what the country will give us advice, who themselves are doing billions of dollars of business from Russia. The ministry clearly stated that targeting India is unfair and irrational. India will take all necessary steps for its national interests and economic security. Not only this, Jaishankar himself also heard well and said that the dominance system will not run. India is not going to accept anyone’s grandfather anymore. At the same time, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Jakharova also narrated the US well. He said that America is not able to accept its decreasing dominance in the emerging multi -polar international system. No tariff war or ban can stop it.
Let’s explain to America well in 6 points.
1After the commencement of Ukraine conflict, India has been targeted by the US and the European Union for importing oil from Russia. In fact, India started oil imports from Russia because traditional supply was diverted to Europe. At that time, the US itself encouraged India to stability of such imports by the stability of global energy markets.
2. India’s oil imports are to maintain the cost of energy for Indian consumers as accessible and predetermined. This is an imperative arising due to the status of the global market. But it is noteworthy that the countries who are criticizing India, are also engaged in trade with Russia themselves. Unlike our case, such business is not a mandatory national requirement for them.
3The European Union traded an item of 67.5 billion euros worth 67.5 billion with Russia in the year 2024. Additionally, in the year 2023, the business of services was estimated at 17.2 billion euros. This is more than the total trade of India with Russia of Russia that year or after that. In 2024, Europe’s import of LNG from Russia reached 1.65 million tonnes, which also crossed the previous record of 1.521 million tonnes made in 2022.
4. Europe-Russia trade includes not only energy, but also fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel, and machinery and transport equipment.
5As far as America is concerned, it still imports uranium hexafloride from Russia to its nuclear industry, paladium for its EV (electric vehicle) industry, as well as fertilizers and chemicals.
6Targeting India in this background is unfair and irrefractive. Like any major economy, India will also take all necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic security.
What is the way?
It is clear in this entire episode that America’s attitude is double. On the one hand he encourages India to buy oil from Russia, and threatened to punish for the same on the other. Trump’s policy can not only affect Indo-US relations, but can also destabilize the global energy market. If a big buyer like India stops buying oil from Russia, then oil prices may increase globally, which will also affect the American public.
It is the biggest challenge for India to maintain its independent foreign policy and energy security in this situation. The long -standing friendship and strategic partnership with Russia is important for India. Also, it is necessary to balance economic and defense relations with the US. India has faced such diplomatic challenges before, and this time also it can deal with this crisis by giving priority to its national interests.
