India will continue purchasing oil from sources offering the “best deal,” despite US tariff hikes on Indian goods, India’s envoy to Russia, Vinay Kumar, has said.
Speaking to Russian state news agency TASS, Kumar criticised Washington’s decision to double tariffs on Indian imports, calling it “unfair, unreasonable and unjustified” and describing it as a penalty that undermines fair trade principles.
“Our primary goal is the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians,” he said. “India’s cooperation with Russia, as well as with several other countries, has helped bring stability to the global oil market.”
The ambassador stressed that India’s energy policy is guided by domestic needs rather than external political pressure. “The government will continue taking measures to protect the country’s national interest,” he said. “Trade is conducted on a commercial basis. If Indian companies find the best deal elsewhere, they will continue buying from those sources.”
India has repeatedly defended its oil imports from Russia, noting that affordable energy is vital for economic stability. Kumar also highlighted that other countries, including the US and European nations, continue trading with Russia. “Our trade is market-driven and aimed at ensuring energy security for 1.4 billion Indians,” he added.
Kumar’s remarks echoed those of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who called the US tariff hike “unjustified and unreasonable,” emphasizing that India would not compromise the interests of farmers and small producers.
On payments, Kumar said India and Russia have a stable settlement system in national currencies. “There is no problem now in payment for oil imports,” he said, noting that this arrangement, developed after Western sanctions on Russian banks, has allowed energy trade between the two countries to grow.
While India’s oil imports from Russia have surged, its exports to Russia remain modest. Kumar reiterated that India’s energy procurement strategy will remain commercially driven and focused on national interests.
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