India ‘perplexed' about US stance on Russian oil imports
Jaishankar pointed out that India had helped stabilize global energy markets over the last few years.
'We are not the biggest purchasers of Russian oil. That is China,' he said. 'We are not the biggest purchasers of Russian LNG. I'm not sure, but I think that is the European Union.'
Since 2022, India has significantly increased its oil purchases from Russia. Last month, Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri said Russia accounts for 38% of the country's oil imports.
❗️Jaishankar: 'India Is Perplexed' By US Logic On TariffsIndia is not the biggest buyers of Russian oil, and Washington even encouraged New Delhi to "do everything to stabilise world markets" - including purchasing Russian energy, he explained. pic.twitter.com/1g9vRl49EM
Earlier this month the US said it would impose an additional 25% tariff on imports from India over New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian crude. The new tariffs from August 27, come in addition to the 25% slapped on New Delhi after India and the US could not reach a trade deal.
India has sharply criticized the moves, describing the levies as 'unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,' and has pledged to safeguard its national interests.
US President Donald Trump, Senator Lindsey Graham and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have all recently criticized India for its trade with Russia.
On Thursday, Jaishankar addressed US criticism over India's increased economic ties with Russia since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict.
'We are not the country which has the biggest trade surge with Russia after 2022. I think there are some countries to the south,' he said. 'We are a country where actually the Americans said for the last few years that we should do everything to stabilize the world energy markets including buying oil from Russia.'
'That was not a violation or anything,' former US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said last year, explaining that Washington wanted New Delhi to buy Russian oil at a price cap.
Jaishankar added on Thursday that India's purchases of US oil have also been increasing. 'So quite honestly we are very perplexed at the logic of the argument that you had referred to,' he said in response to a question from a RT reporter.
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