New Delhi: India has firmly stated that it will continue importing oil from Russia, making it clear that it will not yield to international pressure.
“India will buy oil from whoever offers it at the lowest price. What matters are market conditions,” said Vinay Kumar, India’s Ambassador to Russia, underscoring that national and economic interests remain India’s top priority.
The statement comes at a tense moment, as the United States gears up to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian products starting tomorrow—a move directly linked to New Delhi’s Russian crude imports. This will raise the total extra tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, the steepest under the Trump administration’s trade measures.
With this decision, India will stand alongside Brazil as the country facing the highest U.S. import tariffs, ahead of Switzerland (39%), Canada (35%), China and South Africa (30% each), and Mexico (25%).
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance defended the move, saying the aim is to pressure Russia into ending the war in Ukraine. But India’s consistent reliance on discounted Russian oil has not only deepened its energy security but also complicated India-U.S. trade talks, adding a new layer of strain to bilateral relations.
