Russia has blasted US sanctions on India as “unlawful competition,” pledging uninterrupted crude supplies, market access, and unwavering support for New Delhi amid Western pressure and tariffs….reports Asian Lite News
Russia has launched a scathing attack on Washington’s decision to impose additional sanctions and tariffs on India, warning that such measures reflect double standards, unlawful competition, and a disregard for sovereignty.
Russian Charge d’Affaires in India, Roman Babushkin, speaking at a press briefing in New Delhi, criticised the United States’ economic pressure on India over its continued oil trade with Moscow. He argued that punitive actions reveal “a lack of trust, blackmail and pressure, as well as disrespect of national interests.”
Taking aim at Western critics, Babushkin added: “If the West criticises you, it means you are doing everything right. We don’t expect India to stop buying Russian oil. This is a true strategic partnership — we are committed to removing any problems, no matter how challenging the circumstances.”
“If Washington considered New Delhi its friend, then it wouldn’t behave like that. Friends don’t impose unlawful competition through sanctions,” Babushkin declared. He stressed that sanctions outside the United Nations framework are illegal, noting that neither Russia nor BRICS members have ever weaponised the economy through such tactics.
Despite heavy sanctions on Russia following the Ukraine conflict, Babushkin insisted the Russian economy is expanding steadily. “You cannot exclude from the global economy such a big and important country like Russia with its tremendous energy, industrial and human potential. Sanctions fail, and moreover, they hit those who are imposing them,” he said.
His remarks come as Washington threatens India with a 25 per cent tariff on imports if it continues sourcing oil from Russia. However, Russian Deputy Trade Representative in India Evgeny Griva assured that Moscow’s crude oil supplies — which account for about 40 per cent of India’s total imports — are indispensable. “This is a crucial share for the Indian economy, and the situation practically couldn’t be changed,” Griva noted.
Babushkin reiterated that Russia remains India’s largest crude supplier and that demand is growing year by year. He called the energy partnership “a perfect case of mutual accommodation and complementarity of our economies,” adding that bilateral trade has withstood external pressure in the past and would continue to do so.
Underscoring Moscow’s readiness to shield India from economic fallout, Babushkin said Russia had designed “a very, very special mechanism” to keep energy flows uninterrupted. “If Indian goods are facing difficulties entering the US market, the Russian market is welcoming Indian exports to the most extent possible. Don’t worry about that,” he told Indian exporters.
The Russian envoy also pointed to the seven-fold rise in Indo-Russian trade in recent years as proof of the relationship’s resilience. He emphasised that President Vladimir Putin’s recent phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected Moscow’s commitment to keeping India closely engaged on global developments.
Taking aim at Western critics, Babushkin added: “If the West criticises you, it means you are doing everything right. We don’t expect India to stop buying Russian oil. This is a true strategic partnership — we are committed to removing any problems, no matter how challenging the circumstances.”
On the multilateral front, Babushkin reaffirmed Russia’s support for reviving the Russia-India-China (RIC) dialogue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. He stressed that the format remained strategically significant and would strengthen trilateral cooperation amid shifting global alignments.
“Whatever happens, even during challenges, we are capable of finding solutions for mutual satisfaction,” Babushkin concluded, underlining that India can continue to count on Russia as a dependable ally despite mounting Western pressure.
