New Delhi, Aug 4 (EFE).- India accused the United States and the European Union on Monday of \u201chypocrisy\u201d for maintaining significant trade with Russia while condemning New Delhi\u2019s oil imports from the country, purchases that Indian officials say were previously encouraged by Washington itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a strongly worded statement, India\u2019s Ministry of External Affairs called recent US criticism \u201cunjustified and unreasonable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statement came just hours after United States President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on Indian exports in retaliation for New Delhi\u2019s ongoing purchases of Russian crude oil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves engaged in trade with Russia,\u201d the Indian government said. \u201cAs a major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India, the world\u2019s third-largest crude oil importer, has increased its purchases of Russian oil since the war in Ukraine began in 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imports from Moscow now make up over a third of India\u2019s total oil consumption, up from less than 2% before the invasion, according to official figures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
New Delhi argues that the shift was a strategic necessity after traditional suppliers redirected oil flows toward Europe. \u201cThis ensured predictable and affordable energy costs for Indian consumers,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India points to West\u2019s continued trade with Russia <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To support its claims, India cited trade figures from its Western critics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2024, the EU conducted 67.5 billion euros in bilateral trade with Russia and imported a record 16.5 million tons of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), the government said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US, meanwhile, continues to import Russian uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear sector, palladium for electric vehicles, fertilizers, and other chemical products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnlike India\u2019s energy needs, this trade is not driven by vital national necessity,\u201d the statement emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Indian government also recalled that \u201cthe US actively encouraged Indian oil imports from Russia at the onset of the Ukraine conflict to help stabilize global energy markets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump announces tariffs, questions India\u2019s neutrality <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The diplomatic clash intensified after Trump publicly criticized India and announced new tariffs on Indian goods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t care how many people are being killed in Ukraine by Russia\u2019s war machine,\u201d Trump said, referring to India\u2019s continued oil purchases from Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India has maintained a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine, refraining from joining Western sanctions against Russia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officials have argued that taking sides would undermine the country\u2019s strategic autonomy and economic stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India\u2019s statement suggests that it sees the recent pressure as politically motivated and inconsistent with the West\u2019s behavior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIndia will continue to act in its national interest,\u201d it concluded. EFE <\/p>\n\n\n\n
lgm\/seo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"