India Hits Back At US, European Union On Russian Oil Imports, Calls It 'Unreasonable'

India strongly responded to the US and the European Union after Trump's threat to increase tariff on Russian oil imports,, calling such a move "unjustified and unreasonable."

Image: ANI

Hours after US President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs against India for buying Russian oil, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly responded to the US and the European Union, calling such a move "unjustified and unreasonable." The MEA stated that India would take all necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic security.

On Monday,  President Trump on Monday stated that since India is buying "massive amounts" of oil from Russia, and selling it, he will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the US.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union (EU) for importing oil from Russia since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.

Highlighting the West’s ongoing trade with Russia, Jaiswal said,  “In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”

This marks the second time that Donald Trump has threatened to impose unspecified penalties on India for purchasing energy from Russia.

Last week, the US administration announced a 25 percent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, set to take effect on August 7, along with an unspecified penalty related to India’s continued imports of Russian energy.

Jaiswal explained that India began importing crude oil from Russia after traditional suppliers redirected shipments to Europe following the outbreak of the conflict. He added, “At the time, the US actively encouraged these imports by India to help stabilise global energy markets.”

The statement further added that the imports are meant to ensure affordable energy costs for Indian consumers. “They are a necessity compelled by [the] global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,” he said.