New Delhi, August 4 (H.S.): India has strongly condemned the United States and the European Union for what it termed “double standards” over crude oil imports from Russia, asserting its commitment to safeguard the country’s strategic and commercial interests.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a late-night statement on Monday, said that India was unfairly targeted by the US and EU for purchasing oil from Russia following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict. He pointed out that India turned to Russian oil after its traditional supply chains were diverted to Europe during the early stages of the conflict.
At the time, the US had actively encouraged such imports by India to stabilise the global energy market, he added.
Jaiswal clarified that India’s energy imports are aimed at ensuring affordable and predictable energy costs for Indian consumers and are driven by global market realities. What is surprising, he noted, is that the very countries criticising India continue to engage in trade with Russia — and unlike India, their trade is not out of national necessity.
According to the spokesperson, the EU’s bilateral trade with Russia stood at €67.5 billion in 2024, with services trade amounting to €17.2 billion in 2023. This far exceeds India’s total trade with Russia for the same period.
Furthermore, the EU imported a record 16.5 million tonnes of LNG from Russia in 2024, surpassing its previous record of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022. The trade includes not just energy but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel, machinery, and transport equipment.
As for the United States, Jaiswal stated that it continues to import uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV sector, as well as fertilisers and chemicals from Russia.
In light of these facts, he said, targeting India is unjustified. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic security.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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