India calls West hypocrisy on Russia trade as Trump threatens with fresh tariff, “US, EU indulged in trade with Russia’

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday called out the hypocrisy of the US and European Union who criticize India for buying Russian oil but they are themselves indulging in trade with Moscow.

India issued a strong response to US President Donald Trump’s latest threat to “substantially raise” tariffs on Indian exports over continued oil imports from Russia. New Delhi stated that it will take “all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”

Trump posted the warning on his Truth Social platform, the Ministry of External Affairs released a sharply worded statement, called the U.S. President’s remarks “unjustified and unreasonable.”

MEA emphasized that India began importing Russian oil only after traditional energy supplies were diverted to Europe following the onset of the Ukraine conflict.

“At that time, the United States actively encouraged such imports by India to help stabilize global energy markets,” the statement noted.

The statement defended its continued purchase of Russian oil, the ministry clarified that India’s imports are intended to ensure predictable and affordable energy prices for Indian consumers. “This is a necessity compelled by the global market situation”.

The MEA also accused the US and the European Union of double standards, criticized India while continuing their own substantial trade with Russia.

“In 2024, the European Union had bilateral trade in goods worth €67.5 billion with Russia. In addition, it conducted services trade valued at €17.2 billion in 2023 significantly more than India’s total trade with Russia during that period or since,” the statement highlighted.

The ministry also pointed out that European imports of liquefied natural gasfrom Russia reached a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 15.21 million tonnes set in 2022.

“Europe’s trade with Russia includes not only energy but also fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel, machinery, and transport equipment,” the MEA said.

The statement noted that the U.S. continues to import items such as uranium hexafluoride, palladium, fertilizers, and chemicals from Russia.

“In this context, the targeting of India is both unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic security,” the MEA concluded.

The Indian government’s response came shortly after Trump declared that the U.S. would substantially raise tariffs on India due to its purchase of Russian oil.

In a Truth Social post, Trump stated: “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits.”

He reiterated his administration’s stance that New Delhi is indirectly financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing oil and military equipment from the Kremlin, Trump added:

“They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA.”

Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, with an unspecified penalty related to India’s trade with Russia on July 31, media reported.