India Defends Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Threat

India pushed back against criticism from the U.S. and EU over its Russian oil imports, calling the stance “unjustified and unreasonable.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Monday that the purchases were crucial for securing affordable and stable fuel prices for Indian consumers. The statement followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose steep tariffs on India for trading in Russian oil. Jaiswal noted the hypocrisy of such criticism, stating, “The very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia,” and unlike India, their trade is not driven by vital national needs. He added that India turned to Russian oil only after the Ukraine war disrupted traditional supply chains, with many suppliers shifting focus to Europe. “At the time, the United States had even encouraged India’s purchases as a way to stabilise global energy markets,” Jaiswal said.