India Pushes Back on U.S. Pressure: FM Sitharaman Says Russian Oil Purchases Will Continue
India has made it clear that it will not bow to pressure from Washington when it comes to securing its energy needs. On Friday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman strongly defended India’s decision to continue buying oil from Russia, despite the United States imposing steep tariffs on Indian goods as part of its wider trade disputes.
Speaking in an interview, Sitharaman underlined that India’s energy strategy is based purely on economic and commercial logic, not political pressure. “Whether it is Russian oil or anything else, it’s our decision to buy from the place that suits our needs – whether in terms of pricing, logistics, or supply stability. Oil is a major foreign exchange expense for us, so we will always choose what benefits our economy the most. Undoubtedly, we will keep buying it,” she said.
India is the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil and relies on imports for nearly 88% of its requirements. Russian crude, which often comes at a discounted price, has saved India billions of dollars in foreign exchange over the last few years. This economic lifeline has allowed the government to stabilize domestic prices at a time when global oil markets remain volatile.
Impact of U.S. Tariffs
The comments came against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian exports, citing New Delhi’s growing oil imports from Moscow. While the move has strained ties between the two countries, Sitharaman noted that India is taking steps to soften the blow.
She pointed to ongoing reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system that have simplified compliance and reduced indirect tax rates on many products. According to her, these measures will help balance some of the negative impact of the tariffs. At the same time, the government is exploring additional ways to “handhold” exporters and industries hit by the new U.S. duties.
Jaishankar to Represent India at BRICS
On the same day, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva convened a virtual meeting of BRICS leaders to discuss a coordinated response to the tariff hikes. India, one of the hardest-hit countries alongside Brazil, announced that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent New Delhi at the meeting.
Officials in Delhi explained that participation will remain at the ministerial level for now, given the sensitive optics surrounding BRICS. In Western capitals, both BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) are often viewed as “anti-Western blocs,” whereas India prefers to describe them as “non-Western platforms” designed for cooperation among emerging economies.
Lula’s call for the meeting goes beyond tariffs. He is expected to press for greater commitment to multilateralism, warning that unilateral trade actions by Washington could undermine collective decision-making in global institutions.
Trump’s Growing Trade Confrontations
Tensions between Washington and BRICS members have been growing for months. Trump has repeatedly described the grouping as “anti-American” and has threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on imports from member nations. His administration has also dragged Brazil deeper into its global trade battles, linking tariffs to unrelated political disputes in that country.
For India, the bigger concern is maintaining its freedom to navigate complex global alignments without being forced into choosing sides. New Delhi has deepening ties with the U.S. in areas like defense and technology, but it also values energy security from Russia and cooperation with emerging powers through BRICS.
The Road Ahead
Sitharaman’s message is clear: India’s energy choices will remain independent, no matter the political pressure. With Jaishankar set to join the upcoming BRICS discussion, India will likely stand alongside other emerging economies in calling for more balanced trade practices and stronger multilateral frameworks.
For now, India is signaling that it will protect its national interest, even if that means pushing back against Washington’s tariffs. Cheap Russian oil remains too critical to abandon, and New Delhi is not ready to let global politics dictate its economic priorities.
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