Russia has reaffirmed its support for India amid US sanctions targeting Indian imports of Russian oil, describing Western criticism as a sign of doing the right thing. Roman Babushkin, Charge d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy in India, said at a press briefing that India’s strategic partnership with Moscow remains strong despite pressures from the West.
“Even under challenging circumstances, we do not expect India to stop buying Russian oil,” Babushkin said, referring to US measures that include a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods and an additional 25 percent levy on Russian crude purchases. He added, “If the West criticises you, it means you are doing everything right.”
The Russian envoy highlighted positive outcomes from President Putin’s recent US visit, including reports that President Trump decided against imposing additional tariffs on India. Babushkin also offered India an alternative market for its exports, noting that if Indian goods face challenges entering the US, “the Russian market is welcoming Indian exports.”
Criticising the West for what he called “neocolonial behaviour,” Babushkin warned that unilateral sanctions risk disrupting supply chains, destabilising markets, and endangering energy security in developing countries. He stressed that as the world’s largest oil producer and largest consumer, Russia and India share critical energy interdependence, and unilateral actions can unbalance global markets.
Babushkin further stated that even if India hypothetically refused to buy Russian oil, it would not necessarily improve cooperation with Western powers, which he said act primarily in self-interest. He described Western pressure on India as “unjustified and unilateral.”
Amid rising tensions in India-US trade relations, with New Delhi calling the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable,” Babushkin reiterated that Moscow has “a very, very special mechanism” to maintain consistent crude supplies to India, underscoring the strength of bilateral ties.
The Russian envoy also noted that trade between the two nations has expanded sevenfold in recent years despite sanctions, and that President Putin values India highly, as reflected in his recent phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding developments in Ukraine. Babushkin confirmed that Putin is expected to visit India by the end of the year and that India will receive the remaining S-400 missile system “according to schedule.”
He concluded by calling the Indo-Russian relationship a “true strategic partnership,” with Moscow committed to resolving challenges to ensure mutual satisfaction.
