India Issues Clarification Amid Trump's Accusations on Russian Oil Imports
India has issued a formal statement responding to recent strong accusations from US President Donald Trump regarding its import of Russian oil. Trump's remarks, widely circulated online, alleged that India is not only purchasing massive quantities of Russian oil but is also reselling a significant portion of it on the open market for substantial profits.
He further stated that India is seemingly indifferent to the human cost of the conflict in Ukraine caused by Russia. As a consequence, President Trump declared his intention to significantly increase tariffs on goods imported from India into the United States.
In response to these claims, the Indian government's Ministry of External Affairs released a detailed statement. The statement clarifies that India's decision to import oil from Russia followed the commencement of the Ukraine conflict, a period during which traditional energy suppliers diverted their resources to Europe.
The statement emphasizes that, at the onset of these diversions, the United States itself actively encouraged India to increase its Russian oil imports to contribute to the stability of the global energy market.
The Indian government further explains that its oil imports are primarily aimed at ensuring a consistent and affordable energy supply for its large consumer base. It argues that these imports are a necessity dictated by the prevailing global market dynamics.
The statement also points out the apparent contradiction of nations criticizing India while themselves continuing to engage in trade with Russia. India distinguishes its situation by asserting that its trade is not driven by vital national compulsion.
To provide context and counter the accusations, the statement includes trade figures highlighting the European Union's significantly larger bilateral trade volume with Russia. In 2024, the EU's goods trade with Russia amounted to Euro 67.5 billion, with an estimated Euro 17.2 billion in services trade in 2023.
The statement also notes the record high of European imports of Russian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in 2024, reaching 16.5 million tonnes. Additionally, the statement specifies that Europe-Russia trade encompasses a wide range of goods beyond energy, including fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, iron, steel, and machinery.
Furthermore, the Indian statement draws attention to the United States' ongoing imports from Russia, specifically mentioning uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for the electric vehicle sector, as well as fertilizers and other chemicals.
In its concluding remarks, the Indian government firmly states that the targeting of India under these circumstances is "unjustified and unreasonable." It reaffirms India's commitment, as a major economy, to take all necessary measures to protect its national interests and ensure its economic security.
