New Delhi: Roman Babushkin, Charge d’Affaires at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi, strongly criticised Washington’s decision to impose tariffs on Indian goods and its pressure on New Delhi over Russian crude oil purchases, calling the moves “unjustified and unilateral.”
His remarks coincided with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow, where he co-chaired the Russia-India Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC).
“If Indian goods are facing difficulties in the U.S. market, the Russian market is wide open for Indian exports,” Babushkin said during a press briefing in Delhi. He argued that U.S. pressure on India to cut oil imports from Russia was destabilising global energy markets and undermining the energy security of developing nations.
“Russia is the largest producer of oil, and India is among the largest consumers. Any unilateral action leads to supply disruptions, price imbalances, and risks for global energy security,” Babushkin noted, adding that Western powers behave like “neocolonial actors” seeking only their own benefit.
On speculation that India could bow to Western demands, Babushkin dismissed the idea: “We don’t expect India to stop buying Russian oil. If the West criticises you, it means you are doing everything right. Our strategic partnership ensures that even in challenging times, we will find solutions together.”
Highlighting the resilience of bilateral ties, he said, “Despite years of sanctions, our trade has grown sevenfold. President Putin’s recent phone call to Prime Minister Modi shows how much India matters to Russia.”
Meanwhile, in Moscow, Jaishankar is leading discussions at the IRIGC, which Babushkin described as the “main mechanism” of Indo-Russian cooperation, covering trade, energy, defence, nuclear power, and infrastructure. The commission, which alternates between Moscow and New Delhi, is also preparing ground for a potential leaders’ summit in Delhi later this year.
On the sidelines, a bilateral business forum co-organised by Moscow’s Business Council and FICCI is underway, while future engagements include the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China.
Babushkin also recalled President Vladimir Putin’s Independence Day greetings to Prime Minister Modi and his condolences over recent floods in Kashmir, signalling the continued depth of Indo-Russian ties.
