Image credit-wikipedia
India Pushes Back on Western Criticism, Calling Out Duplicity Over Russian Trade
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has issued a sharp response to US President Donald Trump and the European Union, rejecting their "unjustified and unreasonable" pressure over India’s oil imports from Russia. The MEA statement highlights the hypocrisy of Western powers, pointing out that their own trade with Russia is substantial and often lacks the same critical national necessity that drives India's decisions. The Indian government asserts that its energy policy is guided by national interests and the need to ensure affordable fuel prices for its citizens, a necessity born out of global market disruptions. This firm stance comes after President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on India and accused the country of profiting from the resale of Russian oil.
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black? India Calls Out Western Hypocrisy on Russian Trade
In a bold move that has sent ripples through the geopolitical landscape, the Indian government has issued a scathing statement,yesterday, directly challenging the United States and the European Union on their "duplicity" regarding trade with Russia. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) delivered a strongly worded critique, rejecting what it described as "unjustified and unreasonable" pressure from Western powers.
This powerful pushback came in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks, where he accused India of buying "massive amounts" of Russian oil and "selling it on the open market for 'big profits.'" These comments were followed by the imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian goods, a measure Trump justified by citing India's own tariffs on US products and its participation in the BRICS bloc, which he labelled "anti-American."
India’s Stance: National Interest and Energy Security
The MEA's statement articulated a clear and compelling defence of India’s position. It explained that India's decision to purchase discounted Russian oil was a direct consequence of the global energy market disruptions caused by the conflict in Ukraine. With traditional suppliers diverting their focus to meet Europe's demand, India turned to Russia as a pragmatic solution to secure its energy needs. The ministry also revealed a crucial piece of information: at the time, the US had "encouraged such imports," seeing them as a way to "strengthen global energy markets stability."
The Indian government made it unequivocally clear that its energy imports are a critical national necessity, essential for ensuring affordable and predictable fuel prices for millions of Indian consumers. This is not a political choice, but a matter of economic survival compelled by the current global market situation.
Exposing Western Double Standards
The MEA’s statement didn’t stop at defending India; it went on to highlight the glaring double standards of the very nations criticising it. The ministry pointed out that the US and EU are themselves heavily engaged in trade with Russia, but unlike India, their dealings are "not even a vital national compulsion."
To drive the point home, the ministry presented a compelling set of statistics:
- The European Union: In 2024, the EU's bilateral trade in goods with Russia was a staggering €67.5 billion. Trade in services was an estimated €17.2 billion in 2023. This is significantly higher than India's total trade with Russia during the same period.
- EU Energy Imports: The statement also noted that European imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia hit a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024, surpassing the previous high of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022.
- Beyond Energy: The MEA highlighted that Europe's trade with Russia extends well beyond just oil and gas, encompassing a wide range of sectors including fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron, steel, and machinery.
- The US-Russia Connection: The US was not spared from this scrutiny. The MEA pointed out that Washington continues to import essential materials from Russia, such as uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for the electric vehicle sector, and various fertilisers and chemicals.
A Call for Fair Play
The statement concluded with a powerful assertion: the criticism directed at India is both "unjustified and unreasonable." Like any major global economy, India is fully entitled to take all necessary measures to protect its national interests and ensure its economic security.
This episode marks a significant moment in international relations, as a rising global power refuses to be lectured by those who fail to practice what they preach. India's firm and evidence-based defence has not only pushed back against Western pressure but has also laid bare the complexities and contradictions of global trade in a volatile world.(source-India Today)
#IndiaRussiaTrade #Geopolitics #EnergySecurity
0 Comments