India Responds Strongly to Criticism Over Russian Oil Imports

• Aug 5, 2025

New Delhi, August 5, 2025:
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has issued a strong statement condemning the recent criticism from the United States and the European Union over India’s oil imports from Russia amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The statement, released on August 4, firmly defends India's trade actions as a necessity rather than a choice.

According to the MEA, India began importing oil from Russia only after traditional energy supplies were diverted to Europe in the wake of the Ukraine conflict. The government highlighted that the United States had, in fact, encouraged India’s imports from Russia to stabilize global energy markets.

The MEA clarified that India’s energy imports are essential to ensure affordability and predictability for Indian consumers, citing global market disruptions as the driving factor. The statement also pointed out the hypocrisy of Western nations, stating that those criticizing India are themselves engaged in even larger volumes of trade with Russia—without any such national compulsion.

Backing its argument with data, the government stated that in 2024, the European Union recorded a bilateral trade of €67.5 billion in goods and €17.2 billion in services with Russia. India's total trade with Russia was far lower. Yet, India’s energy imports, especially LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), reached a record 16.5 million tonnes, up from 15.21 million tonnes in 2022.

The statement also emphasized that Europe’s trade with Russia spans beyond energy to include fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, steel, machinery, and transport equipment. Furthermore, the United States continues to import strategic materials from Russia such as uranium hexafluoride, palladium, and fertilizers, raising questions about the fairness of the criticism directed at India.

Concluding the statement, the MEA asserted that the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. It reaffirmed India’s commitment to protecting its national interests and economic security, asserting that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the same.

This official response underlines India’s stand as a sovereign nation acting in the best interest of its citizens amid turbulent global geopolitics.