India Defends Oil Imports from Russia, Calls Criticism Unjustified, Highlights EU Trade

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly defended India’s decision to import oil from Russia amidst international criticism, labeling the criticism as “unjustified and unreasonable.” The MEA stated that India’s actions are designed to secure predictable and affordable energy prices for its citizens. This comes after President Trump stated he would consider raising tariffs on India. The MEA explained that India’s energy imports are a sovereign decision and a necessity due to the global market situation, particularly following disruptions to traditional supply chains stemming from the Ukraine conflict. Furthermore, the MEA highlighted that the EU’s trade with Russia is significantly larger than India’s, and the US also continues importing various goods from Russia.