NEW DELHI: India will continue purchasing oil “from wherever it gets the best deal,” even as Washington imposes punitive tariffs in retaliation for New Delhi’s imports of Russian crude, India’s ambassador to Moscow, Vinay Kumar, told Russian news agency TASS on Sunday.The remarks come days after the United States slapped an additional 25% duty on Indian imports, taking the total tariff burden to over 50%, a move Kumar blasted as “unfair, unreasonable and unjustified.”“First of all, we have clearly stated that our objective is the energy security of 1.4 billion people,” Kumar said. “India’s cooperation with Russia, as with several other countries, has helped to bring stability to the global oil market. The US decision is unfair… the government will continue taking measures to protect national interests.”Kumar underlined that trade decisions are guided by commercial factors, not political pressure. “If the basis of trade is right, Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. That is the current situation,” he said.The envoy also noted the irony of US criticism, pointing out that “other countries, including the US itself and in Europe, are still trading with Russia.”Jaishankar hits back at US moveKumar’s comments echo those of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who on Saturday told the Economic Times World Leaders Forum that India would not compromise the interests of its farmers and small producers. Jaishankar branded the US tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable,” stressing that New Delhi’s trade policy is rooted in protecting domestic stakeholders.Payments and trade beyond oilOn the financial front, Kumar reassured that oil payments to Russia face no hurdles: “India and Russia have a working system of trade settlement in national currencies. There is no problem now in payment for oil imports.”Looking beyond hydrocarbons, Kumar said New Delhi aims to boost its exports to Russia in sectors like electronics, automobiles, textiles, and construction materials. “Our exports have grown, but they remain far below potential,” he said, highlighting opportunities in digital services, financial products, and IT-linked industries.A wider economic clashThe diplomatic sparring underscores growing friction between New Delhi and Washington as the US, under President Donald Trump, seeks to punish nations deepening ties with Moscow. India, however, maintains that energy security for its vast population is non-negotiable.“The trade is based on market realities, not political dictates,” Kumar said, drawing a line in the sand.
