Ukraine’s allies continue flowing billions of dollars into oil trade with Russia. The Indian government, in response to US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum, which threatens secondary sanctions against countries importing Russian energy, says that “the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia.”
“India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer… It is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia,” says the Indian government.
The West keeps trading with Russia: The numbers are striking
India points to the Western blatant double standards.
- In 2024, EU–Russia trade in goods reached €67.5 billion.
- In 2023, services trade totaled €17.2 billion.
- In 2024, Europe imported a record 16.5 million tonnes of Russian LNG, the highest volume since 2022.
Many critical Russian exports remain unsanctioned, including:
- Palladium for the US auto industry
- Uranium for nuclear power plants
- Fertilizers, chemicals, metals, machinery, and equipment, all of which the US continues to import from Russia.
India rejects restrictions
India emphasizes that its decisions are driven by economic necessity, not political alignment.
New Delhi is ready to defend its energy security, even if new sanctions are imposed.
“The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the Indian government claimed.
Effectively, India has held up a mirror to the US and Europe: stop your own trade with Russia before demanding the same from others.