In the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s fresh threats about imposing higher tariffs on India for buying “massive amounts of Russian oil”, the Indian government released a strong statement, on Monday, saying both European Union and the U.S. still continue to have strong trade ties with Russia.

The government said India began importing from Russia as traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the Russia – Ukraine conflict.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the U.S. has been importing nuclear raw materials from Russia, while the European imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in 2024 touched record levels. The Indian government said “targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable” in this backdrop.

“Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers as well as chemicals,” the ministry said.

“The European Union in 2024 had a bilateral trade of €67.5 billion in goods with Russia. In addition, it had trade in services estimated at €17.2 billion in 2023. This is significantly more than India’s total trade with Russia that year or subsequently. European imports of LNG in 2024, in fact, reached a record 16.5 million tonnes, surpassing the last record of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022,” the statement added.

“Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment,” it said.

“In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” it added.

The Indian government also underlined the fact that India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict. “In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability,” said the release.

“India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,” it added.

In his post on Truth Social yesterday, Trump accused India of buying "massive amounts of Russian oil" and selling it further in open markets. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!" Trump's latest post said.

Earlier, Trump announced a sweeping 25% tariff on all Indian goods exports to the US, effective August 1, and an additional "penalty" on India for indulging in business with Russia in areas of energy and military equipment.