India’s Ministry of External Affairs Rejects US and EU’s “Targeting” of India

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has criticized the US and EU for “targeting” India.

• The MEA statement follows Trump’s announcement of penalty tariffs against India for importing, processing, and selling Russian oil.

• The US and EU continue to trade with Russia for goods including LNG, critical minerals, and nuclear fuel requirements.

• The MEA argues that the US encouraged India to continue buying Russian oil to stabilize global markets.

• India views its Russian oil purchases as a “vital national compulsion” due to the conflict in Ukraine.

• The MEA’s response is the first clear response since the Ukraine conflict.

• The MEA’s statement aims to emphasize that neither the US nor the EU can decide which country India will partner or trade with.

• India’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, and its foreign policy choices cannot be manipulated by other countries.