By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – India’s foreign ministry on Tuesday defended the country’s imports from Russia, stated that they are a “necessity driven by global market conditions,” and criticized the nations pointing fingers at India.
MEA noted that many of them continue to trade with Russia despite lacking any compelling need to do so.
Trump threatened to “substantially” raise tariffs on goods from India over its purchase of Russian oil.
New Delhi reminded Washington that when it initially began importing Russian oil after the Ukraine war began, the U.S. had actually “encouraged” those imports. It also pushed back against the European Union for singling out Indian refiners over their crude exports.
The government cited specific data to highlight the scale of trade between the EU and Russia.
‘Washington is unable to accept the erosion of its dominance’: After India, Russia hits back at US tariffs threats
Russia criticized the Donald Trump administration in the United States for pursuing a “neocolonial” approach toward Global South countries in a bid to uphold Washington’s global dominance, stated that no level of tariffs or sanctions could alter the “natural course of history.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that, “Washington is unable to accept the erosion of its dominance in an emerging multipolar international order.”
She said, “No tariff wars or sanctions can halt the natural course of history,” hitting back at US for putting steeper tariffs on countries.
Ms. Zharkhova stated that the US was exerting “politically driven economic pressure” on countries opting for an independent path in global affairs, and reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to strengthen ties with such nations to help build a “genuinely multilateral” and equitable world order.
“Sanctions and restrictions have unfortunately become a defining feature of the current historical period, impacting countries across the globe. Unable to accept the erosion of its dominance in an emerging multi polar international order, Washington continues to pursue a neocolonial agenda, employing politically motivated economic pressure against those who choose an independent course on the international stage,” she said.
Russia’s statement came days after US President Donald Trump unraveled new tariffs on dozens of countries.
Indian government cited specific data to highlight the scale of trade between the EU and Russia: in 2024, the EU’s bilateral trade in goods with Russia stood at €67.5 billion, with services trade reaching €17.2 billion in 2023—figures far exceeding India’s trade volume with Russia. Notably, Europe’s imports of Russian LNG hit a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024, surpassing the 2022 peak of 15.21 million tonnes.
The statement emphasized that Europe’s trade with Russia extends beyond energy to include fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, steel, machinery, and transport equipment.
The ministry also called out the U.S. for its ongoing imports of Russian goods like uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear sector, palladium for electric vehicles, as well as fertilisers and chemicals.
“Like any major economy, India will do what is necessary to protect its national interests and economic security,” the government asserted.
These sharp remarks from New Delhi come in response to a fresh threat by Donald Trump earlier in the day. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, “I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA,” though he offered no details.
Trump has announced a 25% import duty on Indian goods starting August 7 and warned of tariffs as high as 100% on countries buying Russian oil, unless Moscow agrees to a peace deal with Ukraine during the August 7–9 window.
India’s oil sourcing pattern shifted significantly after Russia, isolated by the West for its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, began offering crude at discounted prices. Historically, India imported most of its oil from the Middle East.
