‘Don’t adopt double standards’, India’s sharp reply to NATO chief’s warning on buying Russian oil

India rejects NATO chief’s threat to ban Russian oil purchases-Photo: PTI

The Union Minister said that India does not depend on any one country for its oil and gas needs, but imports from many countries. Hardeep Singh Puri said in an interview on Thursday that the amount of oil and gas that India buys from Russia in a quarter, European countries buy more than that in half a day.

India on Thursday July 17,2025 rejected NATO chief Mark Rutte’s threat to impose 100% secondary tariffs on countries trading with Russia. India said that its priority is to secure the country’s energy needs. Commenting on the matter, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India’s domestic needs depend on the current market scenario and geopolitical conditions. He warned Western countries against adopting double standards.

Randhir Jaiswal said, ‘We have seen reports on this subject and are closely monitoring the developments. I would like to reiterate that meeting the energy needs of our people is our top priority. In this effort, we are guided by the resources available in the market and the current global conditions. We particularly caution against any double standards in this matter.’

Europe buys most Russian gas: Minister Puri

This strong reaction of Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came after India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri did not react to the warning of NATO chief Mark Root. Hardeep Puri had said that India is ready for any adverse situation. The Union Minister said that India does not depend on any one country for its oil and gas needs, but imports from many countries. Hardeep Singh Puri said in an interview on Thursday that the amount of oil and gas India buys from Russia in a quarter, European countries buy more than that in half a day.

Trump warns Putin of secondary sanctions

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump also warned countries buying Russian oil that if Moscow fails to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine within 50 days, they may face secondary tariffs of up to 100 percent. NATO Secretary Mark Root on Wednesday issued a stern warning to Brazil, China and India that they could face serious economic consequences if they continue to trade with Russia. Root’s remarks came just after his meeting with US senators.

What did Mark Root say to India-China-Brazil?

Root has warned Russia’s main trading partners – India, Brazil and China – that they could face secondary sanctions of up to 100 percent if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not take the peace agreement seriously. He said, ‘If you are the President of China, the Prime Minister of India, or the President of Brazil, and you continue to trade with Russia and buy their oil and gas, then you know: If the person sitting in Moscow does not take the peace talks seriously, I will impose 100 percent secondary tariffs.’ Mark Root also called upon the leaders of the three countries to directly urge Putin for peace talks. He said, ‘Please call Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise it will have huge implications for Brazil, India and China.’