New Delhi: Russia has strongly backed its energy partnership with India, asserting that oil trade between the two nations will continue to expand despite fresh US tariffs and Western sanctions.
The statement follows US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose additional duties of up to 50% on Indian goods, alleging that New Delhi is indirectly supporting Moscow’s war in Ukraine by purchasing Russian crude.
Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin dismissed the US measures as “unjustified and unilateral,” saying India remains a trusted strategic partner. “If Indian goods face difficulties entering the US market, the Russian market is always open to Indian exports,” he said at a press briefing in New Delhi.
Babushkin underlined that Russia is India’s largest crude supplier, meeting nearly 40% of its energy needs, and that demand is rising steadily. “This is a perfect case of complementarity of our economies. We are confident our cooperation will continue notwithstanding external pressure,” he added.
He also stressed that Western sanctions amount to “unlawful competition” and “double standards,” arguing that friends should not behave in a way that undermines national interests. “Despite tremendous sanction pressure, Russia’s economy is growing steadily. Sanctions hurt those who impose them, not us,” Babushkin remarked.
Russia’s Deputy Trade Representative in India, Evgeny Griva, echoed the view, describing the outlook for bilateral trade as “absolutely positive.” He said Moscow had developed mechanisms to ensure uninterrupted oil supply to India and pointed out that Indian exports of machine tools, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals to Russia are also on the rise.
The Russian officials’ remarks come as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visits Moscow for talks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, underscoring the deepening of strategic ties.
India, which has condemned the US tariffs as “unfair and unreasonable,” has made it clear it will not bow to economic pressure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reaffirmed that New Delhi would continue to safeguard its energy security and strategic autonomy.
