NEW DELHI – India is holding firm on its decision to continue purchasing crude oil from Russia, even as the Donald Trump administration escalates its pressure with new and substantial tariffs. Recent reports indicate that tankers have been successfully offloading millions of barrels of Russian crude at Indian refineries, demonstrating that these deliveries are proceeding as usual.
This defiance comes in the wake of the US imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, a move that brings the total duty on some exports to a punitive 50%. The Trump administration has justified the new tariffs by directly citing India’s ongoing trade with Russia and its role in “fueling the war machine.” The White House has accused India of purchasing large volumes of discounted Russian oil and then reselling it on the open market for a significant profit.
In response, Indian officials have maintained that the country’s energy purchases are driven by economic necessity and the need to ensure energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a sharp rebuke, calling the US tariff hike “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable” and vowing to protect India’s national interests. The MEA also pointed to what it called “double standards,” noting that the US and European Union have themselves continued to trade with Russia in various commodities.
India has become a critical market for Russian crude since the conflict in Ukraine began, with Russian oil now making up a significant portion of its total imports. This has allowed India to secure energy at a substantial discount, saving billions of dollars. Despite the US’s new tariffs and threats of further “secondary sanctions” that could target shipping and insurance, Indian authorities have not issued any directives for refiners to halt their purchases.
Analysts suggest that while the new tariffs will create challenges for Indian exporters in sectors such as textiles, gems, and leather, it will be nearly impossible for India to quickly cease its Russian oil imports without a significant disruption to its energy supply and a potential rise in consumer prices. This ongoing geopolitical standoff highlights India’s commitment to an independent foreign policy and its strategic balancing act between its historical ties with Russia and its growing partnership with the West.
