Key points
- India’s Russian oil imports have affected trade talks with US
- Trump has imposed secondary tariffs on India
- India defends Russian crude imports
ISLAMABAD: India will continue purchasing oil from any source that offers “the best deal” in order to safeguard the interests of its 1.4 billion citizens, the country’s ambassador to Russia has said.
🌍 Top Countries Buying Oil from Russia (2025)
🇮🇳 India – 34%
🇨🇳 China – 26%
🇹🇷 Turkey – 5%
🇧🇬 Bulgaria – 3M bbl/month
🇦🇪 UAE – transshipment hub
🇮🇷 Iran – rising imports
🇵🇰 Pakistan – growing demand
🇮🇶 Iraq – occasional purchases
🇪🇬 Egypt – small volumes— World Insights (@World_Insights1) August 25, 2025
Vinay Kumar’s remarks come just days ahead of the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s 50 per cent tariffs on India, which include a 25 per cent penalty for procuring Russian oil and weaponry, according to the BBC.
On Sunday, US Vice-President JD Vance stated that Trump had introduced secondary tariffs on India as part of efforts to exert “aggressive economic leverage” on Russia and compel it to end the conflict in Ukraine.
India’s rising imports of discounted Russian crude since the onset of the war have placed a strain on its relationship with the US and affected discussions surrounding a potential trade agreement.
Funding of war
In 2024, Russian crude accounted for 35–40 per cent of India’s oil imports, a sharp increase from just 3 per cent in 2021.
The US has claimed that India’s purchases of Russian oil are contributing to the funding of the war in Ukraine—an accusation New Delhi firmly denies.
India will buy oil wherever deal is best. Decision driven by market dynamics and needs of 1.4 bn citizens says Indian envoy to Russia. Growing demand of Indian workforce in machinery, electronics, construction & textile sectors — I report @ETPolitics pic.twitter.com/z1mHt1ozPA
— Dipanjan R Chaudhury (@DipanjanET) August 26, 2025
Kumar told Russia’s TASS news agency on Sunday that India’s trade is driven by market dynamics and that ensuring energy security for its population remains a top priority. He also reaffirmed India’s position that Trump’s decision to impose secondary tariffs is “unfair, unreasonable, and unjustified”.
His statement came shortly after India’s Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar, gave a forceful defence of the country’s Russian oil imports.
Upholding strategic autonomy
“It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business,” he said on Saturday, highlighting that the US has not imposed secondary tariffs on China—Russia’s largest oil customer—or the European Union, which continues to maintain substantial trade ties with Russia.
He emphasised that India upholds strategic autonomy in its policymaking, signalling that it will not succumb to American pressure to scale back oil imports from Russia.
India continues to maintain amicable relations with Ukraine, while Russia remains one of its key strategic allies.
New Delhi has consistently called for a “peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy” to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but has refrained from publicly criticising Russia despite ongoing Western pressure.
Restoration of peace
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ukraine in 2024, and India has reiterated its willingness to “contribute in all possible ways to facilitate an early restoration of peace”.
‘India will buy oil where it gets the best deal!’
India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, has said that India will continue buying oil from wherever it gets the best deal and take measures to protect its national interest#Ukraine #Russia #UkraineRussiaWar #CNBCTV18Digital pic.twitter.com/4sxBA6t0PP
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) August 25, 2025
On Sunday, Ukraine’s ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, told local media that President Volodymyr Zelensky may visit India soon, although no specific dates have been confirmed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is also anticipated to visit India later this year.
Also, on Sunday, Vance voiced his confidence in Trump’s strategy to end the conflict in Ukraine.
“He (Trump) tried to make it clear that Russia can be re-invited into the world economy if they stop the killing. But they are going to continue to be isolated if they don’t stop the killing,” he said.
