Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India’s relations with major powers, Issue: Issues with US criticism of India’s trade with Russia.
Context:
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing India’s dependence on Russian crude. India argues that Western nations also maintain significant trade with Russia, making U.S. criticism inconsistent.
Key Highlights:
U.S. Concerns:
- Heavy Indian oil imports from Russia post-Ukraine invasion.
- Alleges India’s indirect support to Russia’s economy and military supply chain.
India’s Stand:
- India has long-standing trade relations with Russia in energy and defence sectors.
- India’s imports are based on national energy security needs.
- Other nations (EU, China) also import significant oil and commodities from Russia.
- EU oil imports from Russia have exceeded India’s since the war began.
- U.S. military aid to Israel amid Gaza conflict, seen as double standards by India.
Comparative data Insights:
Oil Imports from Russia:
- Russia’s share in India’s oil imports rose from 1.9% (2021) to 35.5% (2024). Major imports from Russia include crude oil, fertilizers, iron, and steel.
- EU imports from Russia between Feb 2022–Aug 2025 are at €227 billion, compared to India’s €83 billion.
Fossil Fuel Trade:
Defence Trade:
Geopolitical Parallels:
- India highlighted U.S. and EU’s continued imports of Russian goods while criticizing India.
- U.S. imports from Russia dropped by 55% since the war, but continue in certain sectors.
- Israel’s arms imports show strong dependence on the U.S., despite accusations of human rights violations in Gaza.
Implications:
- Diplomatic: Strained U.S.–India trade relations could impact broader strategic partnerships.
- Economic: Tariffs on Indian goods may affect export competitiveness.
- Strategic Autonomy: India’s stance reflects its independent foreign policy, balancing multiple power centres.
- Global Double Standards: Highlights inconsistencies in Western narratives on trade ethics during conflicts.
Conclusion:
India’s energy and defence imports from Russia are driven by national interest and long-term partnerships. While criticism from the U.S. is based on factual data, it overlooks the similar or larger Russian trade dependencies of Western nations, exposing geopolitical double standards.
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