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4h ago

Jaishankar Rebukes U.S. Tariffs, Defends Russian Oil Purchases as India Sets Red Lines

He cast the duties as unjustified pressure over energy ties with Moscow, vowing to protect farmers and small producers.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar speaks during a meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow.
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EAM Subrahmanyam Jaishankar spoke about the trade ties between India and the US amid Donald Trump's 50% tariff threat.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speaks to the media in Berlin, Germany, May 23, 2025. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/ File Photo

Overview

  • Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum on Aug. 23, India’s external affairs minister said, “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it,” as he defended continued imports of discounted Russian crude as serving both national and global price stability.
  • Jaishankar said trade talks with Washington continue but identified non‑negotiable red lines that include safeguarding farmers and small producers, signaling no concessions on those sectors.
  • The U.S. has a 25% tariff on Indian goods in force since Aug. 7, with a further 25% levy linked to India’s Russian oil purchases scheduled to begin on Aug. 27.
  • He accused Western critics of double standards, noting that larger Russian energy buyers such as China and European nations have not faced comparable penalties.
  • His remarks followed high‑level meetings in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, where both sides discussed deeper trade, energy and financial cooperation, including logistics and payment channels.