Russia on Wednesday described India as its close friend and said that “India matters a lot to us.” The statement came when US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 50% tariffs on India to buy Russian oil. Roman Babushkin, in -charge of the Russian Embassy, called Trump’s move “inappropriate and unilateral” at a press conference. He said that if the western countries criticize India, then it shows that India is on the right path.
Babushkin, while emphasizing the strategic relations between India-Russia, said that trust and cooperation between the two countries is strong. He recently mentioned two telephonic conversations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which discussed the Ukraine crisis and bilateral cooperation. Babushkin said that if Indian goods are having problems in the US market, Russia welcomes Indian exports.
Trump imposed a 25% tariff on India on July 30, which was increased to 50% on 7 August. He claimed that this step is harming Russia’s economy, as India is Russia’s largest oil buyer. Trump accused India of “promoting a war machine” for trade with Russia. In response, India described it as “unfair and unfair”, indicating that the US and the European Union also trade with Russia.
India clarified that its oil import is based on the status and national interests of the global market. Oil purchases from Russia began after the Ukraine crisis in 2022, when western countries imposed a price limit on Russian oil. India bought it at cheap prices, making global oil prices stable. Babushkin said that Russia and India together can solve any challenge.
Meanwhile, Trump and Putin met in Alaska on 15 August, where the Ukraine War was discussed. India supported a peaceful solution. This development further strengthens the friendship of India-Russia, while Trump’s tariffs are creating new challenges for India.
