Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a strong stand against the mounting pressure by US President Donald Trump, signaling that India will continue to pursue its independent energy policy despite Washington’s concerns over Russian oil purchases.
PM Modi’s defiance came after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on Indian goods. This led to tensions between the two nations. While addressing the issue, PM Modi asked citizens to prioritize local products and maintain that India’s economic and energy strategies remain guided by the national interests, not external pressure.
As per Bloomberg, the government of India issued no directive to its oil refiners, both state-owned and private, to stop buying Russian crude oil. “Crude purchases remain a commercial decision, and refiners are free to buy from their preferred suppliers,” said people familiar with the matter, as mentioned by Bloomberg, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions.
Currently, India is the world’s third-largest oil importer. It has repeatedly defended its purchases of discounted Russian oil. India also argued that such imports are essential to keeping domestic prices stable and ensuring energy security.
India’s stance sets the stage for a potential escalation in trade and diplomatic tensions between the two countries, especially when Donald Trump links oil imports to the newly announced tariff hikes on Indian goods.
