Russia's Diplomat Dismisses U.S. Pressure Over India's Purchase of Russian Crude Oil as Unjustified
In a media briefing, Roman Babushkin, the Russian Deputy Chief of Mission, discussed the continued India-Russia energy cooperation and its significance in 2025, despite escalating U.S. tariffs and Western pressure.
Babushkin implied that the pressure on India over its procurement of Russian crude oil from the United States is unjustified, as India's energy purchases are guided by national interests and market dynamics. He stated that these purchases have made Russia India's largest oil supplier, with Russia's share in India's total oil imports rising from 1.7% in 2019-20 to 35.1% in 2024-25.
The U.S. tariff escalation, initiated by the Trump administration, has posed a significant challenge. Starting August 1, 2025, India faced 25% tariffs, which escalated to 50% by August 27, 2025. These tariffs aim to pressure India into reducing Russian oil imports, deter profiting from the Ukraine conflict, and uphold Western sanctions on Russia.
Despite these challenges, Babushkin expressed confidence in the trust between Russia and India and stated that India-Russia energy cooperation will continue. He acknowledged that the situation is challenging for India but reiterated that India's actions are driven by its national interests and economic needs.
Babushkin also mentioned the role of BRICS as a stabilising force amid global turbulence. He suggested that the role of BRICS will grow in the coming times, reflecting a broader geopolitical shift and skepticism among developing countries about Western sanctions.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 led to Western sanctions on Moscow. However, these sanctions are believed to be hurting those who imposed them, according to Babushkin's comments. He did not explicitly condemn the increased purchases of Russian oil by India, but instead emphasised the need for cooperation and understanding in challenging times.
The media briefing was held amid tensions in India-US relations, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing energy trade between the two nations. As India continues substantial imports of Russian crude oil while also maintaining nuclear energy collaboration, the country will need to navigate carefully between its energy needs, strategic partnerships, and geopolitical realities.
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