India has strongly responded to pressure from the United States and the European Union over its continued purchase of Russian oil. The Indian government says it is being unfairly targeted, while the West continues its own trade with Russia — including buying Russian energy.
On August 4, 2025, India’s Ministry of External Affairs called recent sanctions and tariff threats by the US and EU “unjustified and unreasonable.” Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India, like any large economy, would take necessary steps to protect its national interests.
The response came after US President Donald Trump announced he would further increase tariffs on Indian goods, beyond the 25% he already imposed. He said the decision was due to India’s imports of Russian crude oil.
India pointed out that Europe still buys Russian natural gas in large quantities. In fact, EU imports of Russian LNG hit a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024. The US also continues to import materials like uranium, palladium, and fertilizers from Russia.
India’s Key Arguments, including, India Didn’t Start This India started buying more Russian oil only after Europe began diverting its traditional energy suppliers to cover shortages caused by the war in Ukraine. India was even encouraged by the US at that time to buy Russian oil to stabilize global energy markets.
West Still Trades with Russia, the EU’s trade with Russia was worth €67.5 billion ($77.9 billion) in 2024 — more than India’s $68.7 billion. The US also traded goods worth $5.2 billion with Russia that year.
India Saved Billions with Russian Oil, Russia offered India discounted crude oil after facing sanctions from the West. India used that to refine oil and sell products globally, including to Europe. These purchases helped India keep fuel prices low for its people.
EU and US Have Moved Goalposts, India says that the rules keep changing. While it was okay for India to buy Russian oil in the past, now the same actions are being punished — even though the West continues similar trade.
Economic Impact of Sanctions and Tariffs, the US is India’s biggest export market. India exported $87 billion worth of goods to the US in 2024, the new US tariffs could hurt India’s export revenue badly, and the EU ban on refined oil from Russian crude will reduce profits for Indian oil companies and if India stops buying Russian oil, energy prices at home could rise sharply.
Some experts believe that Trump’s aggressive trade stance may be a negotiation tactic. The US and India have been trying to finalize a trade deal, but talks have stalled — especially over agriculture.
India is unwilling to open its farming market to large US agribusinesses, as half of its population depends on agriculture.
Others suggest that the US is also trying to put more pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine, and targeting India could be a part of that strategy.
