India hits back against Trump tariff threats, questions US, EU trade with Russia

India's Ministry of External Affairs said that the country is being unfairly targeted by the United States and the European Union over its import of oil from Russia following the Ukraine war, while accusing these same nations of engaging in their own trade with Moscow.

India's response came after US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose more sanctions on India, accusing the country of buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it on the open market for significant profits.

However, New Delhi hit back, saying that India's imports are aimed at safeguarding its national interests by ensuring affordable energy prices. "India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation," the foreign ministry said in a statement. 

It added that following the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the United States had even encouraged India to purchase oil from Russia to help maintain 'global energy market stability', as traditional oil supplies were diverted to Europe to meet their demands.

India also accused the West of engaging in trade with Russia without the compulsion of any national interests, unlike in its case. "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," according to the statement. 

Targeting the US for its double standards of engaging in trade with Russia while threatening other nations, it added that the US continues to import uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its electric vehicle industry, as well as fertilisers and chemicals from Russia.

The ministry also pointed out that the EU recorded bilateral trade in goods worth Euro 67.5 billion with Russia in 2024. Additionally, the EU’s trade in services with Russia was estimated at Euro 17.2 billion in 2023, while its LNG imports hit a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024, exceeding the previous high of 15.21 million tonnes set in 2022. "This is significantly more than India’s total trade with Russia that year or subsequently," the ministry said.  

The ministry said that targeting India over its trade with Russia is "unjustified and unreasonable." New Delhi added that it will take every measure to safeguard its national interests and economic security.