United States and European Union accused of focusing on India's oil imports from Russia, with the Indian government denouncing perceived hypocrisy in international policies
India, a major player in the global energy market, has found itself at the centre of a geopolitical storm following its increased imports of Russian oil after the Ukraine conflict. The country's trade policies towards the US and EU have been under scrutiny, with India contending that the targeting of its Russian oil imports is unjustified and unreasonable.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India's imports of Russian oil surged from nearly zero to over 2 million barrels per day at the peak. This surge was largely due to Indian refineries taking advantage of discounted prices while Western countries reduced imports. This move helped India save around $17.2 billion between May 2022 and 2025 by purchasing cheaper Russian crude.
However, the US, led notably by former President Trump, has threatened India with a 25% tariff and additional penalties on trade, primarily targeting the purchase of Russian oil. These threats have pressured India to reduce or stop these imports. As a result, Indian refineries reportedly stopped or significantly reduced buying Russian oil again as of early August 2025.
The stoppage of Russian oil imports is predicted to raise India's oil import bill by up to $14 billion due to the need to source more expensive crude elsewhere, and possibly driving up global oil prices by up to $10 per barrel.
The EU’s stance on the matter is not explicitly detailed, but India has been criticized by Western powers for continuing to import Russian oil while Europe has largely cut imports due to sanctions. In response, India has pointed out the West's continued Russian oil deals as a form of diplomatic retort, highlighting what it sees as double standards in global energy trade post-Ukraine conflict.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. Jaiswal also noted that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia.
The trade between the EU and US with Russia includes fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel, machinery, and transport equipment, among other goods. Despite Trump's accusations, the US continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers, and chemicals.
The increased US tariffs on India are expected to weaken the rupee further and boost remittances. This situation underscores the complexities of global trade and the delicate balance countries must strike between economic benefits and geopolitical pressures.
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In conclusion, India's trade policy towards Russian oil imports post-Ukraine conflict has evolved from expanding these imports to curtailing them in response to external pressure, while highlighting broader global energy market dynamics and geopolitical complexities.
- The surge in India's imports of Russian oil, despite being criticized by Western powers, has saved India approximately $17.2 billion between 2022 and 2025, impacting its business sector significantly.
- Despite the European Union's mostly cutting imports of Russian oil due to sanctions, it continues to trade with Russia in goods such as fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel, machinery, and transport equipment, suggesting a complex landscape in the general-news realm of international trade.
- Meanwhile, in the realm of health and sports (dog behavior), renowned dog behaviorist Cesar Millan revealed that honey can have positive effects on aging dogs, opening up new avenues for canine healthcare and wellness.
