India Values President Trump's Threat To Russian Oil Is Unreasonable

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump. (WIkimedia Commons/Official White House/Shealah Craighead)

JAKARTA - Indian officials say the threat by US President Donald Trump to US oil against the country is unjustified and unreasonable.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement India had been the target of Western attacks related to oil imports from Russia, although the US had previously supported the purchase for global market stability.

"India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the start of the Ukraine conflict," he explained, launching TASS August 5.

"In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged imports by India to strengthen global energy market stability," Jaiswal said.

Earlier, President Trump again threatened Monday to increase the tariff of goods from India for the purchase of Russian oil.

New Delhi called its attacks "unjustable" and pledged to protect its economic interests, which deepen trade rifts between the two countries.

In a social media post President Trump wrote, "India doesn't just buy large amounts of Russian oil, they then, for most of the oil it buys, sell it on the open market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are killed by Russian war engines," Reuters said.

"Therefore, I will increase the rates paid by India to the US substantially," he added.

A spokesman for India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded, saying India would "take all necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic security."

"India's targeting is unjustified and unreasonable," the spokesman added.

President Trump said starting Friday he would impose new sanctions on Russia and countries that buy its energy exports, unless Moscow took steps to end the 3.5-year war with Ukraine.

Over the weekend, two Indian government sources told Reuters India would continue to buy oil from Russia despite the threat of President Trump.

India has faced pressure from the West to distance itself from Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. New Delhi refused, citing its long-term ties to Russia and economic needs, openings new tab.

In July, President Trump announced a 25 percent tariff for Indian imports, and US officials have mentioned various geopolitical issues that hinder US-India trade agreements.

India is Russia's largest seaborne crude oil buyer, importing about 1.75 million barrels of Russian oil per day from January to June this year, up 1 percent from last year, according to data provided to Reuters by trading sources.