US Accuses India of Reselling Russian Oil for Profits, India Fires Back with Criticism of US Hypocrisy and EU Trade with Russia

India defends its Russian oil purchases, stating that it is being unfairly targeted by the US and EU. The US had previously encouraged India to keep Russian crude on world markets. India's Ministry of External Affairs argues that other nations, including the US, are also trading with Russia, and that Delhi is only buying oil due to a vital national compulsion. The US and India have a bilateral goods trade of $129 billion in 2024, but Trump's proposed tariff hike risks derailing a long-sought investment accord and Indo-Pacific cooperation.

India has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of higher tariffs on its goods due to Russian oil purchases, asserting that it is being unfairly targeted. The Indian government has maintained that its purchases are driven by a vital national compulsion, particularly given the global market situation and the diversion of traditional oil supplies to Europe following the Russia-Ukraine conflict [1].

In a statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the hypocrisy of the U.S. and EU trading with Russia while criticizing India's actions. The ministry pointed out that the EU's bilateral trade with Russia stood at €67.5 billion in 2024, significantly more than India's total trade with Russia [2]. India's foreign ministry argued that its imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs for the Indian consumer, a stance supported by the International Energy Agency's data showing that 70% of Russian crude was exported to India in 2024 [3].

Trump's threat to impose higher tariffs on India comes after he had already announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports. The U.S. president also threatened an unspecified "penalty" for India's imports of Russian crude and weaponry purchases from Russia. India's foreign ministry responded with a defiant tone, stating that India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security [1].

The U.S. and India have a bilateral goods trade of $129 billion in 2024, but Trump's proposed tariff hike risks derailing a long-sought investment accord and Indo-Pacific cooperation. The unpredictability of the Trump administration poses a significant challenge for Delhi, which is struggling to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape [1].

References:
[1] https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade-war/trump-tariffs/trump-again-threatens-india-with-harsh-tariffs-over-russian-oil-purchases
[2] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/05/india-russia-oil-purchase-trump-tariffs.html
[3] https://www.energyintel.com/00000198-762f-d2da-a3df-7ebfc60b0000