In a sharp rebuke to Washington, India on Wednesday condemned the United States’ decision to impose additional tariffs over its continued oil imports from Russia, calling the move “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
The response came after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order slapping a fresh 25% tariff on Indian goods, raising the total tariff burden to 50%—the highest imposed on any country, along with Brazil.
In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India’s energy imports were driven by market realities and national interest.
“The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position… our imports are based on market factors and aimed at ensuring energy security for 1.4 billion Indians,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
“It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” he added. “We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable. India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests.”
The Trump administration has justified the tariffs as part of its broader response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. In the executive order dated August 6, Trump said he had received new information that strengthened the case for punitive economic measures.
“The actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States,” the order said.
The White House had earlier imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods in July and warned of further penalties unless New Delhi significantly reduced its purchases of Russian oil.
India has consistently maintained that its trade with Russia, including energy imports, is within international law and not subject to sanctions imposed by any individual country.
The latest development is likely to strain ties between Washington and New Delhi, even as India seeks to balance its strategic partnerships with both the US and Russia amid a shifting global order.
Source: The Indian Express