India Stands Firm on Russian Oil Amid Trump Pressure
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that India will continue importing oil from Russia despite mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has recently imposed new tariffs on Indian goods.
India Unmoved by Tariff Threats
According to officials, India has not issued any directive to halt Russian oil purchases. While some state-run refiners have slowed new orders due to diminishing discounts, the majority continue sourcing based on commercial and logistical advantages. Existing long-term contracts with Russian suppliers remain unchanged.
Economic Concerns Behind the Decision
India sources over one-third of its crude oil from Russia, often at discounted prices. Analysts estimate that switching away from Russian crude would increase India’s annual oil import bill by ₹75,000 to ₹91,000 crore. This could lead to higher fuel prices and inflation across the economy.
U.S. Criticism Intensifies
President Trump and senior members of his administration have openly criticized India’s continued engagement with Russia. A key Trump aide described India’s oil trade with Russia as “astonishing,” claiming it undermines international efforts to pressure Moscow over the Ukraine conflict.
India Reaffirms Strategic Autonomy
In response, Indian officials reiterated that decisions on energy imports are based solely on national interest. They emphasized India’s sovereign right to secure affordable and reliable energy, especially in a volatile global market.
