The Daily Populous Tuesday August 5th, 2025 morning edition
Authored by newindianexpress.com and submitted by InterestingFormal623

The sharp response follows remarks from President Donald Trump, who has been talking about sanctioning India for its continued energy trade with Russia. India made it clear that such rhetoric smacks of geopolitical hypocrisy.

"India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict," said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

“But in fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India to strengthen global energy market stability,” he said.

The message was unmistakable that India will not be lectured, especially by countries that themselves continue trading with Russia while casting stones at others.

“India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market realities," Jaiswal said. "However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion."

hinterstoisser on August 4th, 2025 at 22:30 UTC »

This is going to hurt EU crude imports. India is not merely importing for domestic consumption but also processing and exporting petroleum products to EU.

Deep down I feel this is a Trump strategy to get India to sign the trade deal ASAP. India will eventually but there are some areas around GMO food products, defense imports that India is not on the same page.

Doesn’t help when US announces O&G deal with India’s enemy number one: Pakistan. You don’t win over friends by signing deals with their enemies

In Kissinger’s words: It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal.

Sumeru88 on August 4th, 2025 at 18:31 UTC »

The problem with this is, that India is a democracy... people remember stuff. And you can't just make deals with democratically elected leaders against the wishes of the electorate they represent (unlike a dictatorship)

The generation of Indians who have been born post 1990 (so, who don't have a memory of Pokhran, subsequent sanctions, the pressure to sign CTBT etc.) largely see USA in good light. This is also the generation of Indians which has worked much more with Americans and is most pro-America.

However, that is now about to change. Indians of a certain vintage still remember what happened in 1971 (which is one of the reasons why Russia still enjoys so much goodwill in India electorate of that generation). And, 50 years from now, people will remember 2025. This is a pivotal moment when the US-India partnership that has been steadily growing since 2008 is about to snap.

This will push India towards making concessions to China and making peace with them. And when that happens, India will no longer be a "counter balance" for China in Asia for the US for the rest of the 21st century. And that will be traced back to the diplomatic exchanges happening as of now.

Anyway, the goods import to the US contributes around 2.5% to Indian economy. Roughly quarter of it is out of scope of these sanctions (medicines and electronics). So, the contribution of the impacted goods to the Indian economy is around 1.75%. Some of it such as Jewelry and Polish diamonds etc. are difficult to replace for the purchaser. That's about maximum the level of impact Indian economy may face. If the economy is growing at 6%, the impact could be managed. It is more important to maintain strategic autonomy than chase every last bit of growth.

In fact while we are at it, if we are going to be sanctioned anyway, we may as well start purchasing oil from Iran and Venezuela again and bring the price of our oil down even more.

JustGulabjamun on August 4th, 2025 at 18:01 UTC »

Trump thinks he can bully every country just like that. Hope India hits back.