logo
India should disregard NATO threat on doing business with Russia

India should disregard NATO threat on doing business with Russia

Indian Express18-07-2025
During Operation Sindoor, the S-400 formed the outermost layer of India's air defence. This is the missile system that India acquired from Russia a few years ago despite the US threatening sanctions under CAATSA — a law mandating punitive measures against countries engaging in 'significant transactions' with Russia, North Korea, or Iran. India made it clear that it would proceed with the S-400 deal anyway. Eventually, the US House carved out an India-specific waiver. A similar episode is playing out again. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned this week that countries like India, China, and Brazil could face secondary sanctions if they continue doing business with Russia. This comes as several US senators back a new sanctions bill proposing a 500 per cent tariff on nations buying Russian goods. US President Donald Trump, too, said this week that the US would impose 100 per cent secondary tariffs targeting Russia's trade partners if a peace deal with Ukraine did not happen in 50 days.
The Ministry of External Affairs' sharp rebuttal on Thursday — underlining that the energy requirements of the Indian people are the overriding priority, and cautioning against 'double standards' — serves as a timely reminder to the West, particularly Europe, of its own manoeuvres in pursuit of energy security. Yes, India was quick to seize the opportunity to purchase discounted Russian oil after the West imposed price caps and turned away from it. But while Russia's emergence as India's top crude supplier has helped meet domestic energy demand and stabilise prices, it is no secret that a substantial volume of refined fuel, derived from the Russian oil imported to India, is ultimately exported to Europe. A CREA report noted that by late 2024, 'capitalising on the refining loophole', India had become the EU's largest exporter of oil products. Europe also imported LNG at record levels from Russia last year.
The sanctions threat to its trade partners is intended to choke Russia's war funding and pressure President Vladimir Putin into agreeing to a ceasefire. In doing so, however, the US and NATO risk undermining their relationship with one of the world's largest economies and an essential ally in the Indo-Pacific. The West cannot have it both ways: Penalise India for pursuing national interest while simultaneously expecting cooperation in regional and global initiatives. It is high time the West engaged with India as an equal partner. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday that there was nothing to worry about even if sanctions were activated because India has expanded its crude sourcing slate. New Delhi should remain firm in pursuing its own path, even as the West seeks to dictate terms.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PM Modi's Maldives visit from today: Full itinerary, key agendas here
PM Modi's Maldives visit from today: Full itinerary, key agendas here

Mint

time24 minutes ago

  • Mint

PM Modi's Maldives visit from today: Full itinerary, key agendas here

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for the Maldives from the UK on Thursday, after concluding the first leg of his two-nation visit. The prime minister is on a two-day state visit to the island nation from today at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. he inaModi will arrive at Velana International Airport of the Maldives at around 9.40 AM IST. During his visit, the Prime Minister will be the guest of honour at the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives on 26 July. "The prime minister's state visit also happens to be the first state visit of a head of government that President Muizzu is hosting in his presidency since he assumed the office in November 2023," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said earlier this week. The Maldives is a very close partner in our neighbourhood, a very important partner in India's Neighbourhood First policy, and as part of the MAHASAGAR vision of India, which is Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, he added. Misri also mentioned the India-Maldives joint vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership' that was finalised last year. "This joint vision, in a sense, has become the guiding framework for our ties," he said. The external affairs ministry said Modi will also meet with President Muizzu and inaugurate several India-assisted development projects in the island nation. G Balasubramanian, the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, told news agencies that various MOUs will be signed between India and the Maldives during PM Modi's trip. The prime minister's visit to the Maldives is seen as important as it marks a significant reset of bilateral ties that had come under severe strain after Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, became president in November 2023. Misri attributed the turnaround in the relationship to India working hard on the ties with the island nation. Earlier during his visit to the UK from July 23 to July 24, Prime Minister Modi met with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, at Chequers, the country residence of the Prime Minister. The two PMs also welcomed the signing of the landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which raised the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new level. Following his meeting with Starmer, the Prime Minister met with King Charles III at Sandringham Estate in England and discussed bilateral issues and progress between the two nations. He also presented a sapling to the King to be planted in Sandringham Estate in autumn as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, the MEA stated. -Arrives at Velana International Airport at around 9.40 AM IST. -Reaches Republic Square for the official welcome ceremony at around 3 PM IST. -Meeting with Mohamed Muizzu, President of The Maldives after the welcome -Delegation-level talks follow. -Exchange of MoUs and virtual inauguration of projects at around 5 PM IST -Press Statements will be issued after the inauguration. The Maldives is a very close partner in our neighbourhood, a very important partner in India's Neighbourhood First policy. -PM Modi will also attend a banquet hosted by Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives later in the day.

Karnataka High Court Halts Deportation Of Russian Woman's Children Found In Cave
Karnataka High Court Halts Deportation Of Russian Woman's Children Found In Cave

NDTV

time24 minutes ago

  • NDTV

Karnataka High Court Halts Deportation Of Russian Woman's Children Found In Cave

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has intervened to temporarily halt the deportation of a Russian woman's children, emphasising the need to consider their best interests as mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The decision of Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav came during the hearing of a writ petition that was filed to challenge a sudden deportation order issued against the children. The petitioner, represented by advocate Beena Pillai, argued that the deportation process disregarded the children's welfare and violated UNCRC principles. The assistant solicitor general (ASG), appearing in the matter for the Union of India, informed the court that the children currently lack valid travel or identity documents. Based on this submission, the court observed that immediate deportation was not reasonable at this stage. However, the court stressed the importance of a detailed hearing to thoroughly examine the case. It directed the respondents to submit a written affidavit, confirming the absence of valid documents, and file their objections within two weeks. Additionally, the court issued a clear directive that no deportation plan can be executed without prior intimation to it, effectively stalling any unilateral deportation effort until the next hearing scheduled for August 18. Nina Kutina (40), along with her two daughters Preya (6) and Ama (4), was rescued by police from the Ramatirtha cave at Gokarna in Uttara Kannada district on July 11. Kutina was staying here even though her visa had expired.

Ravi Shankar Prasad: ‘Why is Congress, Opposition shying away from a debate?'
Ravi Shankar Prasad: ‘Why is Congress, Opposition shying away from a debate?'

Indian Express

time24 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Ravi Shankar Prasad: ‘Why is Congress, Opposition shying away from a debate?'

What do you have to say about the Opposition's uproar over Bihar voter rolls revision? The Opposition has got the right to ask questions, including occasionally creating ruckus as well. But how long will it continue? (LoP, Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi says he is not being allowed to speak but his party is in the forefront of creating a complete chaos in the House. Why is Congress and the Opposition shying away from a debate on any issue? Today is the third day. We go and sit and come back. It is agonising, painful and disgusting, to say the least. The whole nation watches us. You can question us in any powerful debate and make us uncomfortable, and we are equally competent to reply to all your debates to make you uncomfortable. Why don't you allow the debate to happen? And then you complain — 'meri awaaz shaant ki jaati hai (my voice is being silenced)'. Why is the debate not being taken up? The larger question is: are they interested in debate? Every debate has to be structured as per Parliamentary rules. Has 16 hours not been allocated for the Operation Sindoor debate, with nine hours in the Rajya Sabha? That is the way the House functions. You ask for a debate, it will be accepted, it will be prepared. You unleash a big attack, we will respond… As far as SIR is concerned, I will raise some questions. To be a voter you have to be a citizen of India – can the EC examine it or not? To be a voter you have to be an ordinary resident of an area. Can the EC examine that or not… Today there are lakhs of votes of people who are dead or have migrated to other areas… What is the problem if these things are being examined by the EC? They (Opposition) sometimes claim there is a faulty voter list. And now when revision is being done, they have a problem. Once the draft publication is done, you have a right to file objections, to appeal to the collector, to file a second appeal for revision before the Chief Electoral Officer. So many mechanisms are available. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has said the Mahagathbandhan may take a call to 'boycott Bihar polls' in view of the SIR exercise? I believe that is a casual comment. I will only tell him, 'young man, don't shy away from a fight.' As for Rahul Gandhi's venomous attack on the EC, I will say one thing in Hindi: 'Agar aap ko vote nahin milta to hum kya karein (What do we do if people don't vote for you)?' Even JD(U) MP Giridhari Yadav has questioned the SIR exercise… I don't want to make any comments on individual members. I know that Nitish Kumar, the whole JD(U) and the entire NDA is one. Some critics say in a state like Bihar the exercise can be a huge inconvenience and end up disenfranchising many voters… Haven't 98% of people already filled out the form? Or maybe 99%? Just tell me. People know their rights, people know their obligations and they are following it.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store