Metro53 - India's foreign ministry said on Monday that the United States and European Union were "targeting" it due to its buying of Russian oil, adding that the moves were "unjustified" and that it would protect its interests.
"The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable," India Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement, after US President Donald Trump vowed to raise tariffs on the country over its oil purchases from Russia.
"Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security."
It did not provide further details on the measures.
India became a major buyer of Russian oil, providing a much-needed export market for Moscow after it was cut off from traditional buyers in Europe because of the Ukraine war.
New Delhi saved itself billions of dollars while bolstering Moscow's coffers.
But India on Monday argued it "began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict".
It also noted that Washington at that time had "actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability."
It pointed to what it suggested were double standards of EU and US trade with Moscow.
"It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia," Jaiswal added.
"Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion."
Jaiswal singled out examples of where deals were being done with Moscow.
"Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment," the statement added.
Source: AFP
