Russia has strongly criticized the United States for exerting pressure on India over its continued purchase of Russian crude oil, terming Washington’s actions as “unjustified.” Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin stated that India-Russia energy cooperation is based on mutual trust and national interest, and it will continue despite external pressures. He emphasized that India faces a “challenging” situation but Moscow remains confident in New Delhi’s stance of prioritizing energy security over geopolitical pressures.
Babushkin further pointed out that Western sanctions against Russia are having a counterproductive effect, hurting the very nations imposing them. He noted that in the face of global turbulence, the role of BRICS is set to become more significant as a stabilizing force. His remarks came as tensions grew between India and the US following President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, with an additional 25 percent penalty imposed for importing Russian oil.
India, on its part, has consistently defended its purchase of discounted Russian oil, maintaining that its energy procurement is guided purely by national interest and market dynamics. Following Western sanctions on Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India shifted toward Russian supplies, which surged from just 1.7 percent of its total oil imports in 2019–20 to 35.1 percent in 2024–25. This made Russia India’s top oil supplier, underscoring the growing strategic importance of bilateral energy ties despite mounting international pressure.
