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India to US: Oil Is Business, Not Politics

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In an increasingly multipolar world, nations are recalibrating their foreign policies not based on ideology but on strategic self-interest. India, the world’s most populous democracy and fastest-growing major economy, is making one thing clear: when it comes to energy security, national interest trumps political pressure.

That was the underlying message from Vinay Kumar, India’s ambassador to Russia, in a recent interview with Russia’s state-run TASS news agency. His comments came just days after the Donald Trump administration doubled tariffs on Indian exports—now totaling 50%—citing India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian crude oil as the trigger.

Energy Security Over Geopolitical Optics

At the heart of India’s stance is a simple, pragmatic principle: ensuring energy access for 1.4 billion citizens.

“Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal,” Kumar said, adding that “India’s cooperation with Russia, as with several other countries, has helped bring about stability in the global oil market.”

New Delhi has consistently rejected the U.S. claim that its oil purchases are “funding Russia’s war in Ukraine,” calling the accusation unfair and unjustified.

Commerce, Not Conflict

Ambassador Kumar emphasized that energy trade is conducted on commercial terms, and is not a political instrument.

“Trade between India and Russia is based on mutual interests and market factors,” he noted. “Other countries—including the U.S. and those in Europe—also trade with Russia. Why single out India?”

India’s defense is rooted in economic realism. While the West has imposed a broad array of sanctions on Moscow, it has left several backdoors open, including energy purchases by European nations. In this context, Washington’s decision to impose a 25% punitive duty on top of the existing 25% tariff seems more symbolic than strategic.

Jaishankar Fires Back

India’s external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, known for his diplomatic clarity, didn’t mince words when asked about Washington’s criticism.

“It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business,” he said at a recent event.

“If you don’t want to buy oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody’s forcing you. But the truth is, Europe buys. America buys. So why criticize India?”

His remarks underscore a broader point: sovereign economic choices should not be politicized, especially when similar choices are being made by the very countries raising objections.

India’s calibrated position reflects a growing trend among middle powers. Countries like India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Turkey are no longer accepting the binary logic of Cold War-style alliances. Instead, they are crafting multi-aligned strategies, engaging with multiple partners—even rivals—based on sectoral interests.

For India, Russian oil is not just cheaper—it’s also a vital component of a diversified energy basket that includes the Middle East, the U.S., and domestic renewables. The bigger picture is one of resilience, not dependence.

In defending its Russian oil trade, India is asserting a core tenet of global sovereignty: the right to pursue strategic autonomy in an interconnected world. As Ambassador Kumar aptly put it, India will continue to take “measures that protect its national interest.”

The message to Washington is subtle but firm: pressure will not override pragmatism. In the new world order, nations like India are charting their own course—and expecting the world to respect that.

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