India Stands Firm, Says Will Not Stop Buying Oil From Russia Despite NATO Threat

India strongly responded to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday, who had threatened India, Brazil, and China that they would face secondary sanctions of 100 percent by staying in the business of importing oil and gas from Russia. These remarks made by Rutte were shortly after a meeting with senators in the U.S, where he touched upon economic sanctions imposed on countries that do not conform to Western sanctions.

India’s Response: Market First, Not Threats

Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, spoke directly to the point, stating that the decision to sell oil is not confined to India, as the country trades oil based on its domestic demand, the availability of oil in the market, and the geopolitical situation.

NATO’s Warning, India’s Calm Response

India's Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was unmoved by NATO's warning, despite its seriousness. In a calm utterance, he said India has alternatives and can diversify its oil supply readily without facing any trouble should there be a need to import oil from other nations, such as Guyana, Brazil, and Canada.

Global Pressure Grows, But India Stays Firm

NATO was not the only one to make a statement this week. Former US President Donald Trump also threatened 100 percent secondary duties on the countries that purchase Russian oil in the case of failure to reach the Russia-Ukraine peace talks in 50 days.