India US relations: Differences are once again emerging between India and America regarding the purchase of crude oil from Russia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has advocated ending the special exemptions and arrangements given by India on Russian oil imports as soon as possible. During the hearing of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he said that the Trump administration wants to soon end all those special arrangements and sanctions exemptions due to which countries like India are able to import oil from Russia.

This statement of Rubio has come at a time when the stance of America and Western countries regarding India’s energy policy has been changing several times during the Russia-Ukraine war. Due to this, an old dispute in India-US relations has once again raised its head.

The attitude of western countries kept changing after the Russia-Ukraine war.

After Russia launched an attack on Ukraine in February 2022, the US and its allies imposed several economic sanctions on Russia. During this period, on the one hand, western countries criticized India’s purchase of Russian oil at concessional rates, while on the other hand, they also accepted it on many occasions.

Experts believed that the presence of Russian oil in the global market through India proved helpful in controlling international energy prices. Due to this, on one hand the supply of oil remained intact, on the other hand, Russia had to sell oil at a price lower than the market price, which also affected its income.

Now again America is in strict mood

In recent times, America has once again started adopting a tough stance regarding Russian oil. Washington has been continuously claiming that it has received assurance from India to avoid additional purchases of Russian oil. However, India’s stand has been clear that all decisions related to energy procurement are taken keeping in mind national interest and energy security. New Delhi says that its primary responsibility is to meet the growing energy needs of the country.

Questions are being raised on double standards in India

Indian policy experts and analysts are raising questions regarding the continuous change in American stance. He says that when there was a fear of a rise in global oil prices, India’s purchase of Russian oil was said to be a step to stabilize the global market. But now the same purchase has become a matter of diplomatic trouble for America.

Last week, Marco Rubio himself had said that the purpose of the sanctions imposed on Russia is not to target India. This statement was seen as an attempt by the US to strike a balance between pressure on Russia and strategic partnership with India.

Should America have influence on India’s energy policy?

This entire controversy has raised a big question whether America should have the right to decide from where India buys oil for its energy needs. The US argues that Russian oil income finances Russia’s military activities. Therefore, international pressure on energy purchases is necessary to reduce Russia’s income. US officials believe that allies should not weaken the sanctions, which are aimed at limiting Russia’s combat capability.

India reiterated the principle of strategic autonomy

India says that it is a sovereign nation with a population of more than 140 crores, whose energy needs are huge. In such a situation, providing affordable and reliable energy is part of its economic and national priorities. The Indian leadership has been continuously emphasizing the policy of “strategic autonomy”. India has a clear view that no foreign power should have the right to decide how and where the country should meet its energy needs.

China’s issue also became a topic of discussion

The issue of China is also being raised again and again in this debate. Many analysts in India say that China still remains the largest buyer of Russian energy, but America appears to be relatively more cautious against it.

Experts believe that due to China’s global economic power and its hold on many important resources, America avoids taking drastic steps against it. In such a situation, a perception is being formed in India that rules and pressure are not applied equally on all countries, but are changed according to strategic and economic interests.

The question of strategic autonomy goes beyond oil

For India, this matter is no longer limited to oil imports only. It is being seen as a test of its ability to maintain an independent foreign and economic policy as a rising global power. Experts believe that India wants to maintain its strategic autonomy while maintaining strong relations with America. Therefore, as America increases pressure on Russian oil, New Delhi will repeat the same message that has been given since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war.

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Clear message from New Delhi

India’s public stance is clear that the country’s energy policy will be decided in New Delhi, not in Washington. India will continue to take decisions related to its oil imports keeping in mind energy security, national interest and economic needs. Amidst increasing pressure from America on purchasing oil from Russia, India has once again indicated that it is not in favor of compromising its strategic autonomy and energy security.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (7 September 2025) responded to the question of journalists and said that yes he can increase the ban on Russia compared to earlier. The importance of this yes of Trump increases further because earlier US Finance Minister Scott Besant had asked Russia to impose more tariffs on the countries buying oil. Besant argues that it is impossible to bring Putin to the conversation table without financially destroying Russia.

India may get the biggest shock of this policy, because India is importing a large amount of crude oil from Russia. This step is important for Indian energy security, but the US believes that Russia is getting financial benefit due to buying oil, which it is using in war against Ukraine.

American tariff threat on India
The US Finance Minister did not directly name India, but the statement given by him was clear. He said that if the US and the European Union together put more tariffs on Russian oil buying countries, then Russia’s economy will collapse. India is already facing 25% additional tariffs due to buying oil from Russia, due to which the total tariff has reached 50%. Top officials in Washington have indicated that India can be put further pressure in the coming time. However, on this matter, India says that its oil import is completely in the national interest and it will not change its policy by being influenced by the politics of a third country.
Ukraine War Refight Status and International Response
The summit held between Trump and Putin in Alaska was expected that the tension would be reduced, but the result turned out to be upside down. The war has erupted even more. On Sunday, Russia bombed the government premises of Kiev, causing the situation to become more serious. The aim of America is to close Russia’s revenue source. Russia is cut off from Europe and America, but due to countries like India and China, it is still getting buyers. This is the reason that America is constantly targeting India.

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