2025-08-21
The US is applying pressure on India regarding its relationship with Russia, particularly concerning energy trade.External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss boosting bilateral trade and protecting thier energy partnership from potential US penalties. Jaishankar questioned the logic behind US tariffs and criticism of India’s oil purchases from Russia, pointing out that India is not the largest purchaser of Russian oil or LNG, and its trade surge with russia is smaller than that of other countries. The US has imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, including an additional 25% duty on goods related to Russian oil purchases, accusing India of “profiteering” by reselling discounted Russian crude, which india denies.Russia has also offered a mechanism to shield its energy trade with India from US sanctions.
