The United States imposed an additional 50% tariff on India for purchasing oil from Russia. In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed support for India’s stance on oil trade policies amidst the tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump. Lavrov praised India’s ability to make its own decisions regarding oil trade and commended his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar. Lavrov mentioned that during their discussions, he avoids raising the topic of oil and trade because India is fully capable of making its own decisions. Lavrov lauded India’s ‘self-respect’ and supported its position on oil trade policies. He highlighted that when Jaishankar was asked a similar question, he responded that India is ready to discuss terms if the US wants to sell its oil, but India’s oil purchases from other countries, including Russia, are its own matter and unrelated to the India-US agenda. Lavrov also confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to visit India in December this year, emphasizing the strong ties between the two nations, including a broad bilateral agenda encompassing trade, defense, and technological cooperation. He added that there is also international coordination at the SCO, BRICS, and bilateral levels. Lavrov’s statement comes amid trade deal negotiations between India and the US, with the Trump administration imposing tariffs on India, including a 25% surcharge as an additional restriction on India’s oil trade with Russia.
