India has issued a sharp warning against what it calls “double standards” by Western nations, as U.S. lawmakers move ahead with a proposed bill that could dramatically hike tariffs—by as much as 500%—on countries that continue to buy Russian oil. This includes India, which has become one of the top importers of Russian crude since the Ukraine war began.
The strong statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs comes as Washington mulls the Russian Sanctions Act, 2025, a bipartisan bill introduced in both houses of Congress. The legislation, backed by over 80 co-sponsors from both parties, seeks to tighten pressure on Russia by targeting not just the Kremlin, but also its energy trade partners. Notably, the bill proposes sweeping penalties on nations that purchase Russian-origin oil, gas, uranium, or petrochemical products, with a staggering 500% duty rate.
Tensions escalated further this week when the head of NATO, following discussions with U.S. leadership including former President Donald Trump, warned that countries like India, China, and Brazil could face serious trade consequences if they continue doing business with Russia. The message: unless they help pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine, economic penalties are on the table. Trump is believed to support the sanctions bill and may even push for an earlier implementation than the currently suggested 50-day waiting period.
India, however, is pushing back. Responding to the growing pressure, a government spokesperson said that India would continue to make energy decisions based on national interest. "Our priority is to ensure our people’s energy security,” the spokesperson explained. “We make decisions based on market availability and global circumstances. We urge against the application of double standards in this context.”
India’s energy needs are vast, and in recent years it has made a conscious effort to diversify its oil sources. According to the Petroleum Ministry, India now sources oil from over 40 countries—up from just 27 in the past. Despite this diversification, Russia remains a key partner. As of early 2025, nearly 38% of Russian oil exports go to India, while around 50% go to China. In contrast, the European Union imports only around 6% of Russian oil.
Interestingly, while India has deepened its energy ties with Russia, it has not resumed oil imports from Iran, despite Tehran’s repeated requests. This decision dates back to 2017, when India halted Iranian oil imports under pressure from the Trump administration.
During a recent visit to Washington, India’s External Affairs Minister raised these concerns directly with the bill’s sponsors. He emphasized that India’s energy needs and the complex global market must be taken into account before such punitive measures are finalized.
Meanwhile, trade negotiations between India and the U.S. continue on multiple fronts—including agriculture, dairy, and genetically modified products. At the same time, both countries are coordinating on immigration issues. Since the start of Trump’s second term in January, over 1,500 Indians have been deported from the U.S. While early deportations drew controversy due to the use of military flights and shackles, recent efforts have shifted to more humane chartered flights, following protests in India.
As global geopolitics heat up and pressure mounts on India to shift its energy policy, New Delhi appears determined to stay the course—prioritizing national interest and resisting what it sees as unfair demands.
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