‘Securing Energy Needs Is Our Priority': India On NATO Chief's Warning For Buying Russian Oil
India responded to NATO's warning of sanctions for buying Russian oil, stressing India's priority to secure energy needs and warning against double standards.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday responded to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's stark warning that India could face 'severe secondary sanctions" for buying Russian oil, saying that securing energy needs is an overriding priority for New Delhi.
The ministry further said that New Delhi is guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances. It further said that India will particularly caution against any double standards on the matter.
'We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following the developments. Let me reiterate that securing energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us. In this endeavor, we are guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances. We would particularly caution against any double standards on the matter," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while addressing the press briefing.
#WATCH | Delhi | On Nato chief Mark Rutte's comment that countries buying Russian oil could face secondary sanctions, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, 'We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following the developments. Let me reiterate that securing the energy… pic.twitter.com/SdhmWRQYLL — ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2025
The MEA's response came a day after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned India along with Brazil and China about buying Russian oil, cautioning that they could face severe secondary sanctions and penalties if they continue doing business with Moscow.
While speaking to reporters after meeting US senators on Wednesday, Rutte urged leaders in Delhi, Beijing and Brasilia to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to take peace negotiations seriously.
His remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump unveiled a new weapons package for Ukraine and threatened 'biting" secondary tariffs of 100% on buyers of Russian exports unless a peace agreement is reached within 50 days.
'My encouragement to these three countries, particularly is, if you live now in Beijing, or in Delhi, or you are the president of Brazil, you might want to take a look into this, because this might hit you very hard," Rutte told reporters. He had met with Trump on Monday and endorsed the new measures.
'So please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way," he added.
Since the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, India has ramped up the purchase of discounted Russian oil. As Russian energy exports are central to the country's economy, and Putin's war-waging capabilities, many Western leaders and commentators have frequently criticised India.
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
11 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Israel, Ukraine announce 'dialogue' on countering Iran
KYIV: Israel and Ukraine said Wednesday they had agreed to start talks on countering the "threat" posed by Iran, in a sign of deepening ties between the two countries. Both see Iran, a close ally of Russia, as a malign actor on the world stage. Israel has long accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons, an allegation it denies, while Ukraine is regularly attacked from Russia by Iranian-designed drones. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga described Iran as an "existential threat" to global security during a joint press conference in Kyiv with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar -- the most senior Israeli official to visit Ukraine since 2023. "Our countries face common security challenges. Today we have decided to launch a separate dialogue on the Iranian threat," Sybiga said. Saar said any effort to curb Tehran's access to weapons and technology contributed to the security of Europe and Ukraine. "I thank President (Volodymyr) Zelensky and the Ukrainian government for its position that Iran must not have nuclear weapons," he said. Ukraine has expressed frustration at Israel's neutral stance on the Russian invasion, but the two share common interests. Kyiv has long accused Tehran of supplying military hardware to Moscow. Last month, Israel launched a surprise bombing campaign against Iran with the stated aim of destroying military and nuclear sites, an action that Kyiv supported.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
11 minutes ago
- First Post
'July storm': Russia launches massive navy drills with 150 ships, 15,000 soldiers in Baltic & Caspean
The drills aim to test the navy's readiness for unconventional operations, the use of long-range weapons, and advanced tech like unmanned systems, Russia said read more A view shows Russian warships during major naval drills, which are conducted by the Russian Navy in the Pacific and Arctic oceans and in the Baltic and Caspian seas, at an unknown location, in this still image taken from video released July 23. Source: Reuters Russia kicked off large-scale naval exercises dubbed 'July Storm' on Wednesday (July 23), involving over 150 ships and 15,000 personnel across the Pacific and Arctic oceans, as well as the Baltic and Caspian seas, according to the defence ministry. The drills aim to test the Navy's readiness for unconventional operations, the use of long-range weapons, and advanced tech like unmanned systems, Moscow said. The ministry explained, 'At sea, the crews of the ships will practice deployment to combat areas, conducting anti-submarine operations, defending areas of deployment and economic activity.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They'll also focus on 'repelling attacks by air attack weapons, unmanned boats and enemy drones, ensuring the safety of navigation, striking enemy targets and naval groups.' The exercise includes over 120 aircraft and 10 coastal missile systems, led by Navy chief Admiral Alexander Moiseev. Despite ranking as the world's third most powerful navy after China and the US, Russia's fleet has faced significant losses in the Ukraine conflict. Russia's gains on battlefield In Ukraine, Russian forces have captured Pokrovsk, a critical logistical hub, after over a year of fierce fighting, marking a major blow to Kyiv. Russian troops have entered the city, a key flashpoint on the front line, and are conducting search-and-destroy missions, though they haven't fully entrenched, according to The Kyiv Independent. If Russia solidifies control, it would be a significant victory for the Armed Forces of Russia (AFR) and raise serious concerns about Kyiv's ability to hold ground in Donetsk Oblast amid Russia's intensifying summer offensive. The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState and frontline troops, cited by The Kyiv Independent, reported that Russian forces broke through from the Zvirove direction, exploiting weak infantry positions and 'inaccurate situational reporting.' This triggered an urgent Ukrainian response to contain the breach and prevent 'the situation from spiralling into disaster,' as per DeepState. While it's unclear how firmly Russian forces are established in Pokrovsk, their entry after a year of effort spells trouble for Kyiv. The situation echoes last year's fall of Avdiivka, when US funding for Ukraine dried up, leaving its skies vulnerable to a massive Russian barrage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Russia will achieve all…': Lavrov's fiery threat to West after EU sanctions, issues final warning
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov unleashed a scathing rebuke of European nations following the EU's latest sanctions on Russia. Labelling Europe as 'gone crazy,' Lavrov accused EU leaders of manufacturing fear and portraying Russia as an existential threat. His remarks come after the EU's 18th sanctions package targeted Russia's energy and banking sectors. In retaliation, Moscow imposed bans on EU officials, accusing them of undermining Russia's sovereignty. Lavrov urged Europe to focus on its economic decline and deindustrialisation instead. Show more Show less
