International News: US President Donald Trump is making headlines worldwide for his recent tariff announcements. Just days ago, he declared plans to impose new tariffs on more than 70 countries—a move he later postponed for a week. In the same breath, Trump expressed displeasure over India’s growing trade ties with Russia and even warned that India could face a ‘penalty’ for continuing to purchase from Moscow.
Amid these statements, Trump claimed, “I believe India may stop buying oil from Russia. I’ve heard this, though I don’t know if it’s true or not. If it is true, that’s a good step.” His remark sparked a wave of speculation.
India’s Stand—‘No Ban on Oil Purchases’
Following Trump’s claim, questions arose about whether India is preparing to halt its imports of Russian oil. However, Indian oil companies have firmly clarified their stance: “There is no such discussion, nor have we received any official order. Purchases from Russia continue, and there are no plans to stop them at present.”
These statements make it evident that India will not stop buying Russian oil under U.S. pressure.
Trump’s Double Stance—‘Friendship with Tariffs’
On one hand, Trump refers to India as a “good friend.” On the other, he continues to press New Delhi with tariff threats. Recently, he stated, “Remember, India is our friend, but in recent years we’ve done relatively less trade because its tariffs are very high. Also, it has always bought most of its military equipment from Russia. Therefore, starting August 1, India will face a 25% tariff and penalties for all of this.”
Russia—The World’s Second-Largest Oil Producer
Russia is the second-largest crude oil producer globally, pumping around 9.5 million barrels per day (roughly 10% of world demand). It exports approximately 4.5 million barrels of crude oil and 2.3 million barrels of refined products daily. Concerns over disruptions in Russian oil supply shook global markets in 2022, with Brent crude prices surging to $137 a barrel.
Russian Oil Has Never Been Officially Banned
Crucially, neither the United States nor the European Union has ever placed a formal ban on Russian oil. Indian oil companies have avoided crude imports from Iran and Venezuela due to U.S. sanctions but have continued buying Russian oil—staying within the $60 per barrel price cap recommended by the U.S. More recently, the European Union suggested a lower cap of $47.6 a barrel, set to take effect in September.
Despite Donald Trump’s remarks, India has made its stance crystal clear—it will continue purchasing oil from Russia. This underscores New Delhi’s determination to prioritize energy security and economic interests, even if that means resisting U.S. pressure. While Trump’s comments raise fresh questions about U.S.–India trade relations, India’s firm response signals that it is not about to retreat from its strategic energy policy.
