Jaishankar Rebukes U.S. and Europe Over Tariffs, Defends India’s Oil Purchases

New Delhi, August 23 — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday delivered a sharp rebuttal to criticism from the United States and Europe over India’s purchase of Russian oil, asserting that no country is compelled to buy refined products from India.

Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, Jaishankar remarked, “It’s ironic to hear officials from a pro-business American administration accuse others of doing business. If you don’t want to buy oil or refined products from India, don’t buy them. Nobody is forcing you. Europe buys, America buys, and if you dislike it—don’t buy it.”

His comments come amid heightened trade tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods, along with an additional 25% levy as a punitive measure against New Delhi’s increased oil imports from Russia. Notably, similar tariffs have not been placed on China, the largest purchaser of Russian crude.

India strongly condemned the move, calling it “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” and vowed to take “all necessary actions” to safeguard national interests. The Ministry of External Affairs further underscored that several countries, including European nations, are also importing Russian energy to secure their own strategic needs, while expressing dismay at India being singled out.

Jaishankar stressed that India is not the largest buyer of Russian oil, pointing out that China, the European Union, and other nations maintain far deeper energy ties with Moscow. “For years, the U.S. has encouraged us to contribute to global energy stability, including through Russian oil purchases. That is why we are perplexed by the logic of this argument,” he noted during a recent visit to Moscow.

The row follows remarks by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who accused India of “profiteering” from discounted Russian oil during the Ukraine war. He told CNBC that Russian oil now makes up 42% of India’s total imports—up from less than 1% prior to the conflict—while China’s share has risen more modestly, from 13% to 16%.

The escalating tensions also coincide with Washington’s abrupt cancellation of a scheduled visit by U.S. trade negotiators to New Delhi, further clouding the outlook for bilateral trade talks.