Amid EU Sanctions, Indo-Russian Nayara To Invest Rs 70,000 Crore In Indian Energy Market, Calls Out Double Standards

Amid intensifying international scrutiny, Indo-Russian Nayara Energy has reaffirmed its commitment to India’s energy future with a massive Rs 70,000 crore investment in downstream infrastructure, as it strongly criticised the European Union’s latest sanctions, calling them harmful to India’s interests, India Today reported.

In a move that stirred strong reactions in India, the European Union’s 18th round of sanctions, meant to clamp down on entities linked to Russian crude, has controversially included Nayara Energy, a private Indian company that operates entirely under Indian laws.

The decision has sparked widespread concern, with many in India viewing it as an overreach that threatens the country’s energy independence and economic sovereignty.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs firmly reiterated New Delhi’s stance. “India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

“We are a responsible actor and remain fully committed to our legal obligations,” Jaiswal stressed that India only recognises sanctions imposed by the United Nations, not regional blocs.

Rosneft, the Russian oil giant holding a 49.13 per cent stake in Nayara, condemned the EU’s action as “unjustified” and “illegal,” accusing the bloc of flouting international norms.

“These actions are aimed at destabilising global energy markets and creating unfair competition,” Rosneft said, adding that Nayara is a legally independent Indian company with a clear domestic focus.

Rosneft also clarified that it does not control Nayara, and described the EU's rationale as “far-fetched and false.” It underscored the strategic value of the refinery, calling it an “important asset” that bolsters India’s energy supply and contributes to national growth.

Nayara warned that the sanctions threaten to disrupt the steady supply of petroleum products critical to Indian citizens and industries.

“This unilateral move by the European Union is founded on baseless assertions, representing an undue extension of authority that ignores both international law and the sovereignty of India,” the company said.

Highlighting double standards, Nayara added, “They take a high moral ground by chastising and sanctioning an Indian asset for processing Russian crude largely used by its domestic population,” even as European nations continue to indirectly source Russian energy.

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