India Defies U.S. Pressure, Continues Russian Oil Purchases Despite Tariffs

India has firmly reiterated its commitment to purchasing Russian oil, disregarding U.S. pressure and a 50% import tariff imposed by the TRUMP administration. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized that India will prioritize cost-effective energy sources, stating, "We will have to take a call which (supply source) suits us the best. So we will undoubtedly be buying it."

Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India has emerged as the largest buyer of Russian seaborne crude, capitalizing on steep discounts as Western nations retreat from Moscow's supplies. New Delhi defends its stance, arguing that these purchases stabilize global markets—a rationale dismissed by U.S. officials.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick issued a stark warning, linking trade relations to geopolitical alignment: "Either support the dollar, support the United States of America, support your biggest client—who’s the American consumer—or, I guess, you’re going to pay a 50% tariff." The confrontation underscores deepening fractures in global energy diplomacy.