The latest response from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to the US’s criticism of India’s purchase of Russian oil is a strong and eye-opening statement about India’s position in world politics. President Trump said he was going to raise tariffs on Indian goods by a lot, citing India’s energy trade with Russia as an example. Jaishankar spoke out for a bigger vision of a fair global order that is “not dominated by a few countries.”
India’s sensible approach to importing oil from Russia
Jaishankar made it clear that India’s purchases of Russian crude oil are based on the facts of the market and the need to meet global needs, not on political support for Moscow. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India only started buying oil from Russia after the war between Russia and Ukraine caused its usual supplies to be sent to Europe. High-level Indian officials said that the US had actively pushed India to buy Russian oil at that time to help keep energy markets stable around the world. The statement strongly attacked the US and the EU for having different rules for dealing with Russia, since both keep doing business with Russia, even though they are against India’s oil imports. To give you an idea, the EU traded tens of billions of euros worth of steel, chemicals, fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, steel, machinery, and transportation equipment with Russia in 2024. The US still buys uranium and palladium from Russia for its nuclear business and for electric vehicles, respectively.
Keeping energy security and diplomatic pressure in check
India’s response to Russian oil has been practical. They want to make sure that Indian consumers can count on stable and low-cost energy prices in a world market that is always changing. As pressure from the West grows, new data shows that Indian refiners have already been importing less oil from Russia. This shows that India is trying to find a balance between its energy security and political realities. India buys cheap Russian crude oil to process, but it also sends refined petroleum fuels to markets that don’t allow Russian oil imports, which is something that some critics, including Donald Trump, have pointed out. But Indian officials say that their plan is only based on what the market needs and on making sure there is enough energy.
We need a fair, multipolar world order
India wants a multipolar world order, which means that no one or a few countries should be in charge. Jaishankar’s comments show that India doesn’t believe that power should be based on Western influence. He stressed the need for a “fair” global system and defended India’s right to protect its national interests even when geopolitical forces are present. The MEA made it clear that attacking India in this situation is “unjustified and unreasonable.” This shows that India is determined to protect its economic security while also contributing positively to the world stage.
Overall, S. Jaishankar’s response to the US threat of tariffs on Indian goods is not just a response to trade or energy policy. It is a statement of India’s changing foreign policy goals for a fair and balanced global order, showing that India will stand up for its interests in a complicated world.
