Rubio Calls Russian Oil Imports a Strain on India-US Relations

Published: 01 August 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk

The long-standing strategic partnership between India and the United States has hit a turbulent stretch, as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described India’s continued oil imports from Russia as a “point of irritation” in bilateral ties. His comments, made in an interview with Fox News Radio, follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a potential 25% tariff on Indian goods, along with an unspecified penalty, as retaliation for India’s ongoing energy and defense deals with Moscow.

While affirming India as an “ally” and a “strategic partner,” Rubio emphasized that Delhi’s deepening commercial links with Russia — particularly in the energy sector — are creating diplomatic discomfort in Washington. In 2024, Russian oil accounted for 35% to 40% of India’s total crude imports, a sharp increase from just 3% in 2021.

India, on its part, has defended its oil procurement strategy. Officials argue that for a nation with enormous energy needs and millions living under economic strain, buying cheaper Russian crude is an economic necessity. The ramp-up in Russian oil imports began after the onset of the war in Ukraine, as Western sanctions drove prices down and made Moscow’s crude an attractive alternative.

Rubio acknowledged India’s logic but reiterated that such purchases help fuel Russia’s ongoing military campaign. “With so many other vendors available, it’s frustrating to see India remain so reliant on Russian oil,” he stated. President Trump’s threats of punitive measures against Indian firms trading with Russia reflect that frustration.

Recent data points to a shift, however. Reuters reported that state-run Indian oil refiners, including Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil, BPCL, and MRPL, have halted Russian crude imports in recent weeks due to declining discounts. HSBC Global Investment Research observed a “significant decline” in Russian oil imports in July. India’s petroleum ministry has officially denied directing refiners to scale back, yet Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri noted that the country is now sourcing oil from around 40 different nations — up from 27 — preparing for possible disruptions.

Experts believe a reduced reliance on Russian oil would not significantly affect India’s current account deficit, especially as the price gap between Russian Ural and Brent Crude has narrowed from $20 to just $3 per barrel, according to CareEdge.

Meanwhile, Trump’s public criticism of India-Russia trade relations has drawn a sharp and symbolic rebuttal from Moscow. On Truth Social, Trump wrote dismissively that he didn’t care how India and Russia managed their ties, declaring, “They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”

The statement provoked a dramatic response from Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council. In a Telegram post, he invoked apocalyptic imagery, referencing the TV series The Walking Dead and alluding to “Dead Hand,” a Soviet-era nuclear command system designed to launch weapons automatically if an incoming strike was detected. Though the system’s existence is disputed, the comment was widely interpreted as a warning — aimed more at rekindling Cold War-era deterrence psychology than actual threat.

As tensions escalate, India now finds itself carefully balancing economic pragmatism with diplomatic sensitivity, navigating pressure from Washington without alienating Moscow — a task growing increasingly complex as geopolitical chess games continue to unfold.