A senior Russian diplomat, Roman Babushkin, has labeled the pressure exerted by the United States on India to reduce its purchases of Russian crude oil as “unjustified.” Speaking on the matter, Babushkin expressed confidence that the energy partnership between Russia and India will persevere despite external pressures.
Since the imposition of Western sanctions on Moscow following the conflict in Ukraine, India has significantly increased its intake of discounted Russian oil. This has made Russia a top oil supplier to India. In response to this trade, the US, under President Donald Trump, imposed an additional 25% tariff on certain Indian goods.
India has consistently defended its oil procurement decisions, emphasizing that they are based on national interest and prevailing market conditions. Babushkin acknowledged the “challenging” position this places India in but reiterated the strong trust that underpins the relationship between the two nations. He also highlighted the growing importance of the BRICS group as a stabilizing factor in a turbulent global landscape.
