Following the US imposition of a 50% additional tariff on India for oil purchases from Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov voiced his support for India’s approach. Lavrov stated that India has complete autonomy in making decisions about its oil trade. He acknowledged the capabilities of his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar. Lavrov noted that during their talks, he refrains from raising oil and trade matters, as India is fully capable of making its own choices in this domain. The Russian Foreign Minister commended India’s ‘self-respect’ and endorsed its oil trade policies. He recounted how Jaishankar, when questioned similarly, had stated India’s openness to discussing terms if the US wished to sell oil, while maintaining that India’s oil procurement from any nation, including Russia, is a sovereign decision and separate from the India-US agenda. Lavrov also confirmed President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to India in December, underscoring the robust relationship between the two countries, which includes extensive cooperation in trade, defense, and technology. Moreover, he mentioned international coordination within the SCO, BRICS, and at bilateral levels. This declaration from Lavrov arrives as trade negotiations between India and the US are underway. The Trump administration has placed tariffs on India, including a 25% surcharge that specifically targets India’s oil trade with Russia.
