"Best Deal": India To Continue Oil Trade With Russia, Asserts Envoy Amid Trump's Tariff Hike

India’s envoy to Russia, Vinay Kumar, affirmed that Indian companies will keep purchasing oil from sources offering the “best deal,” stressing that New Delhi’s foremost priority remains securing energy for its 1.4 billion citizens, reported NDTV.

Speaking to Russia’s state-run TASS agency, Kumar said, “Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. So that’s what the current situation is.” He added that India’s cooperation with Russia and other nations has contributed to stability in the global oil market.

His remarks came amid sharp criticism from Washington over India’s purchase of discounted Russian crude. Recently, the Donald Trump administration doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty linked to India’s Russian oil imports.

Rejecting the allegations, Kumar called Washington’s move “unfair, unreasonable and unjustified,” and asserted that New Delhi “will continue taking measures which will protect the national interest of the country.” He underlined that trade between India and Russia operates on mutual interest and market dynamics, aimed at ensuring India’s energy security.

Kumar also pointed out, “There are other countries, including the US itself and in Europe, trading with Russia.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, responding to similar US criticism, remarked, “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it… But Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it.”

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Also Read: If India Stops Buying Oil, West Offers No Beneficial Alternative: Russian Envoy