Washington/New Delhi: In a sharp escalation of trade tensions, a senior official from the U.S. administration has drawn a stark line between India’s growing oil trade with Russia and America’s limited imports from the country, calling New Delhi’s actions “intentional” and warning of serious policy consequences.
‘No comparison between Indian imports and imports from Russia’
Speaking to ANI, the US official remarked, “There is simply no comparison between the hundreds of billions of dollars in Indian imports of Russian oil and the modest volume of U.S. imports from Russia, which account for less than 1% of India’s figures.”
The official went on to accuse India of capitalizing on the ongoing war in Ukraine to secure cheap energy, even as global efforts intensify to isolate Moscow.
According to the US, while its imports from Russia are limited to commodities lacking viable alternatives, India has ramped up its crude oil purchases despite access to “roughly 40 major suppliers” worldwide. “India has intentionally taken advantage of the war,” the official alleged, framing it as a move contrary to broader geopolitical efforts.
The comments come just hours after US President Donald Trump signed a sweeping Executive Order imposing an additional 25% tariff on all Indian imports. Citing national security and foreign policy grounds, the order claims that India’s continued energy dealings with Russia present an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States.
The initial tariff hike is scheduled to take effect on August 7, with the new 25 percent surcharge to follow 21 days later. Once fully enforced, Indian goods entering the US will face a 50 percent total import duty, barring pre-shipped items and those under special exemptions.
Here’s what India said
In a strong rebuttal, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an official statement condemning the US move. “The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,” the MEA stated.
The ministry labeled the US decision as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” adding that “several other countries” are similarly engaging in oil trade with Russia in line with their national interests. “India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests,” the statement concluded.
