Russia oil imports ‘point of irritation’ in India-US ties

BBC :

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Delhi’s relationship with Moscow remains a “point of irritation” in India-US ties.

Rubio’s statement comes a day after US President Donald Trump said he would impose 25Per cent tariffs on Indian goods “plus an unspecified penalty”, for buying Russian oil and weapons.

In an interview to Fox News Radio on Thursday, Rubio called India an “ally” and “strategic partner” but added that Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil was hampering its relationship with Washington.

Russian oil made up 35Per cent to 40Per cent of India’s oil imports in 2024 – up from 3Per cent in 2021. India has not officially commented on Rubio’s statement.

Delhi has defended its purchases of Russian oil, arguing that as a major energy importer, it must buy the cheapest available crude to protect millions of poor Indians from rising costs.

India ramped up its purchase of cheaper Russian crude after the Ukraine war began, triggered by sanctions from the West.