Russia has publicly condemned what it calls US “threats” against India over its oil trade with Moscow. On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that “we do not consider such statements to be legal,” and that sovereign countries have the right to choose their own trade partners.
The Russian statement came a day after US President Donald Trump warned India of revised tariffs due to its continued purchase of Russian oil. Trump accused India of profiting from the oil trade and of showing indifference to the war in Ukraine. This new threat would be in addition to the 25% tariffs that were already imposed on Indian goods on August 1.
The Indian government has also pushed back forcefully. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement that labeled the targeting of New Delhi by the US and European Union as “unjustified and unreasonable.” The statement affirmed India’s resolve to protect its “national interests and economic security,” a clear message that it will not be swayed by external pressure.
The diplomatic spat highlights a growing alignment between Russia and India in the face of what they see as coercive US foreign policy. Both nations are asserting their right to strategic autonomy and independent decision-making, creating a complex and challenging landscape for global diplomacy.
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