India accuses EU, U.S. of double standards on Russia trade amid Trump tariffs

The Indian Foreign Ministry made the statement, according to Reuters.

The ministry stressed: "the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia."

"It is unjustified to single out India," the Foreign Ministry said, adding that the EU traded with Russia for EUR 67.5 billion last year and imported record volumes of its LNG.

New Delhi emphasizes that Washington is also importing Russian uranium hexafluoride for use in nuclear power, as well as palladium, fertilizers and chemicals. The Foreign Ministry did not provide sources for this information.

Background

On July 30, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the introduction of 25% tariffs against India starting August 1, with a penalty, because India buys oil and weapons from Russia when “everyone wants Russia to stop the killings in Ukraine.”

Later, Reuters reported that Indian state-owned oil refineries stopped buying Russian oil due to reduced discounts and warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Bloomberg later wrote that at least four tankers loaded with Russian oil were idling off India’s west coast, as purchases of this raw material came under scrutiny amid pressure from the U.S. and the European Union.

On August 2, it became known that at least two vessels carrying Russian oil, which were headed to Indian refineries, were redirected to other destinations after new U.S. sanctions.

Soon after, Reuters, citing two sources in the Indian government, wrote that India intends to continue purchasing oil from Russia despite threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to impose sanctions.

The White House Deputy Chief of Staff and one of the most influential advisers to the U.S. President, Stephen Miller, accused India of effectively financing Russia’s war against Ukraine by buying oil from Moscow.

India’s largest oil refining company, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), purchased 7 million barrels of oil for September delivery from the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a significant increase in tariffs for India because the country buys and resells a huge amount of Russian oil. New Delhi called the actions of the United States unjustified and unfounded.