India dispels criticism from U.S. and EU over Russian Oil Imports through MEA Statement
The Ministry of External Affairs has rebuffed recent U.S. and EU censures of its oil purchases from Russia, clarifying that global market dynamics compelled New Delhi’s decision
India’s Ministry of External Affairs today issued a pointed statement rejecting “unjustified and unreasonable” criticism by the United States and the European Union over its ongoing imports of Russian oil following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict. The ministry emphasized that India’s decision was driven by urgent market realities and urged its...
India’s Ministry of External Affairs today issued a pointed statement rejecting “unjustified and unreasonable” criticism by the United States and the European Union over its ongoing imports of Russian oil following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict.
The ministry emphasized that India’s decision was driven by urgent market realities and urged its critics to acknowledge their own trade relationships with Russia.
In its six-point statement, the MEA noted that when traditional oil supplies to India were diverted to Europe in the wake of the Ukraine war’s onset, the U.S. “actively encouraged” New Delhi to step in and stabilize global energy markets. “India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict,” the statement read, adding that Washington initially “actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability.”
The ministry pointed out that India’s energy imports are a “necessity compelled by global market situation” to guarantee affordable prices for its 1.4 billion citizens. “Unlike our case, such trade [with Russia] is not even a vital national compulsion” for the very nations that are now levelling criticism, it said.
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To support its argument, the ministry pointed to the European Union’s economic ties with Russia. In 2024, the EU recorded €67.5 billion in bilateral trade in goods with Russia, in addition to €17.2 billion in services in 2023. European imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia hit a record 16.5 million tonnes last year, surpassing the previous high of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022.
“Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment,” the statement measured the depth of the EU’s commercial engagement with Moscow.
Turning to the U.S., the MEA noted that Washington continues to purchase strategic commodities from Russia, including uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its electric vehicle sector, and fertilizers and chemicals. “Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilizers as well as chemicals,” the statement added.
In conclusion, the Indian government insisted that the targeting of its energy policy is “unjustified and unreasonable.” “Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the statement warned.
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