In response to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s warning about the potential imposition of secondary sanctions on countries trading with Russia, India’s Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the nation’s priority on securing energy needs while cautioning against double standards.
In a direct counter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s recent comments, India has stressed the importance of fulfilling its energy requirements, cautioning against what it perceives as “double standards.” Rutte suggested that countries like India, China, and Brazil could face severe consequences through secondary sanctions if they choose to continue business dealings with Russia.
Rutte’s remarks, delivered after his meeting with U.S. senators, suggested that the leaders of these nations should reconsider their trade with Russia. He intimated that continuing to buy Russian oil and gas could result in significant repercussions for their economies if Russia does not engage seriously in peace negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine.
Responding to these assertions, on Thursday, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, stressed India’s commitment to securing its energy needs based on available global market conditions. “Securing the energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us,” Jaiswal stated. He further urged caution against the application of double standards in international responses to energy trade.
In tandem with these diplomatic statements, India’s Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri expressed confidence in India’s energy supply chain. Speaking at New Delhi’s UrjaVarta 2025 event, Puri emphasized that India does not perceive an immediate threat of oil disruption due to its diversified sources of supply. “I don’t feel any pressure,” he stated, underscoring that India’s expanded crude sourcing from around 40 countries ensures it can adapt if disruptions occur.
India has strategically diversified its oil imports over the years, which now largely include Russian crude. Russian oil accounts for about 40 percent of India’s imports, up from less than 2 percent prior to the conflict in Ukraine, mainly due to competitive pricing and the availability of discounted oil. Despite Western sanctions, Russian oil remains free from direct bans, though it is subject to a price cap of $60 per barrel, limiting Western participation in its sale if this cap is exceeded.
Jaiswal and Puri’s statements reflect India’s pragmatic approach to navigating international pressures while maintaining national energy security. With India meeting approximately 88 percent of its crude oil needs through imports, it must juggle geopolitical and economic factors in its energy policy decisions.
The broader conversation about potential tariffs related to India’s import of Russian oil introduces further complexities. The Trump administration during its tenure exhibited unpredictability regarding trade tariffs, making sweeping announcements, then pausing for negotiations. However, the current stance of the U.S. on imposing such tariffs could potentially push India to revert to its traditional suppliers from the West Asian region, thus potentially increasing the import costs.
While the geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, India remains focused on ensuring its energy security amid external pressures. Whether secondary sanctions will be levied remains uncertain, but India’s stance is clear in maintaining its energy autonomy as it closely monitors global market conditions and diplomatic developments, according to The Indian Express.