India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his Moscow visit on August 21, 2025, strongly defended India’s purchase of Russian crude oil despite U.S. tariffs on Indian exports. He argued that India is not the largest buyer of Russian energy, its imports stabilize global markets, and U.S. criticism is unjustified. The remarks come amid strained India-U.S. ties, Russia’s backing of India’s trade stance, and ongoing debates over India’s neutral position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Jaishankar Defends India’s Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariffs
On August 21, 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar strongly defended New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil during a press briefing in Moscow alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. His remarks came in response to questions regarding the recent United States decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods, a move linked to India’s refusal to halt energy trade with Russia amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The U.S., under President Donald Trump, recently announced an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian exports, raising the total to 50 percent. This was presented as a penalty for India’s continued import of Russian oil, which Washington claims indirectly funds Moscow’s war efforts. Jaishankar, however, expressed perplexity over the U.S. stance, stating that India is neither the largest buyer of Russian crude nor LNG, and its actions align with stabilizing global energy markets.
India’s Oil Trade with Russia
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, has seen a dramatic increase in Russian crude imports since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022. Following Western sanctions on Moscow, Russian oil was sold at discounted rates, which India capitalized on to meet its massive energy needs. By April 2023, Russia emerged as India’s top oil supplier, with imports reaching nearly 1.9 million barrels per day, accounting for about 40 percent of India’s total oil imports. This rise displaced Iraq and Saudi Arabia as India’s leading suppliers.
Throughout this period, Jaishankar has consistently defended India’s position, insisting that its purchases are dictated by market conditions and affordability for Indian consumers. He has also argued that India’s imports have prevented global oil prices from soaring higher, ensuring stability in energy markets. In 2022, he had famously remarked that India’s monthly oil purchases from Russia were less than what Europe bought in a single afternoon, highlighting what he called Western hypocrisy.
The Moscow Visit and IRIGC-TEC
Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow from August 19–21, 2025, was part of the 26th session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). During the visit, he co-chaired the commission with Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and also held detailed discussions with Lavrov.
The agenda included expanding bilateral trade, removing non-tariff barriers, and boosting Indian exports in sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Jaishankar also raised humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding Indian nationals serving in the Russian army, and sought resolutions for pending cases.
The visit occurred at a sensitive juncture, just days after Washington announced the 50 percent tariff hike. This heightened tensions between India and the U.S., making Jaishankar’s remarks all the more significant.
Key Points from Jaishankar’s Press Briefing
During the press interaction, Jaishankar made several notable points aimed at countering the Western narrative:
- India is not the largest buyer of Russian oil. Jaishankar pointed out that China purchases more Russian crude, while the European Union continues to lead in Russian LNG imports. He also referred to “countries to the South,” likely alluding to Turkey and others, which have seen even larger trade expansions with Russia since 2022.
- India’s imports have stabilized global energy markets. Jaishankar noted that the U.S. itself had earlier encouraged India to purchase Russian oil during supply disruptions, emphasizing that New Delhi’s strategy prevented a supply crunch that could have triggered an energy price spiral worldwide.
- India has diversified its energy imports. He highlighted that India has simultaneously increased oil imports from the U.S., which shows that its energy strategy is based on market-driven diversification, not political considerations.
- U.S. tariffs are unjustified. Expressing bewilderment at Washington’s reasoning, Jaishankar questioned why India was being penalized while other countries engaging in substantial trade with Russia face no similar consequences. He described the tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” echoing earlier statements from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
- India’s stance on Ukraine remains unchanged. Jaishankar reiterated New Delhi’s position that dialogue and diplomacy, not battlefield strategies, will resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He stressed India’s ongoing efforts to engage both Moscow and Kyiv in peace-oriented discussions.
Geopolitical Implications
Jaishankar’s remarks underscore the balancing act India continues to perform on the global stage.
India-Russia relations remain among the steadiest major power ties, with cooperation ranging from energy to defense and technology transfers. Moscow has also reiterated its support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative, ensuring that the strategic partnership remains strong.
On the other hand, India-U.S. relations have been strained by Washington’s tariffs. New Delhi perceives the move as selective criticism that ignores the actions of other major importers of Russian energy. This has created friction in what was once considered one of the fastest-growing bilateral partnerships.
Globally, India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil has reshaped energy trade flows. While ensuring its own energy security, India has also indirectly provided Moscow with economic lifelines amid sanctions. This has drawn sharp criticism from Western governments, which argue it undermines their efforts to weaken Russia’s war economy.
Reactions and Sentiment
Russian leaders, including Lavrov, have welcomed Jaishankar’s strong defense of India’s policies. Lavrov went as far as calling him a “friend” who had consistently reminded the West to “mind their own business.” Moscow has also encouraged New Delhi to expand exports to Russia in response to the U.S. tariffs.
In contrast, the U.S. and European Union continue to express dissatisfaction with India’s stance, suggesting that it weakens global pressure on Moscow. However, Jaishankar’s comparisons to Europe’s own significant Russian energy purchases have drawn attention to what many in India perceive as Western double standards.
Domestically, Jaishankar has received wide support. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that Prime Minister Modi “is not wired to feel any pressure” over this issue. Public sentiment on social media platforms like X has also backed the government’s approach, calling it pragmatic and aligned with India’s national interests.
India’s Broader Diplomatic Stance
India has walked a careful line throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While refraining from condemning Russia outright, it has advocated dialogue and engaged both Moscow and Kyiv at the highest levels. Modi’s visits to Russia and Ukraine in 2024 and 2025 reinforced India’s role as a potential mediator, although New Delhi insists it is not pushing any formal peace plan.
The U.S. tariffs, however, have added a new dimension to the challenge. Some analysts see this as a reflection of deeper geopolitical tensions, including India’s growing involvement in non-Western platforms like BRICS that seek to challenge Western-dominated global structures.
Jaishankar’s remarks in Moscow, therefore, were not just a defense of India’s oil trade but also a clear signal of New Delhi’s determination to pursue an independent foreign policy, guided by its own national interest and market realities.