‘If You Have A Problem, Don’t Buy It’: Jaishankar Rebukes Trump Over Oil Tariffs

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday delivered a strong response to U.S. criticism of India's continued purchase of Russian oil, pushing back against the Trump administration's tariff measures and its approach to diplomacy.

Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, Jaishankar dismissed the accusations head-on, stating, "If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don't buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it." He added, "It's amusing to hear representatives of a pro-business American administration accusing others of doing business."

The minister also stressed that India's decisions were guided by national interests, particularly protecting farmers and small producers. "The red lines are primarily the interests of our farmers and, to some extent, our small producers. We are committed to defending those interests, and that is not open to compromise," he said.

India Not Alone in Russian Oil Purchases

The Ministry of External Affairs underscored that India is far from isolated in sourcing oil from Russia. China, European nations, and other buyers have maintained similar trade ties without facing comparable penalties.

Jaishankar accused Washington of selectively targeting India while ignoring larger players. "We are not the largest buyer. Others are doing it too. So, why us?" he asked, pointing out that China remains the biggest purchaser of Russian oil but has avoided such tariffs. He also reminded that the U.S. itself had previously encouraged India to stabilize global energy markets, even if that meant sourcing supplies from Russia.

Trump's Tariff Offensive and India's Pushback

The remarks follow President Donald Trump's latest escalation in his trade confrontation with New Delhi-introducing a sweeping 50% tariff, along with an additional 25% penalty, on Indian energy imports tied to Russia. India denounced the move as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable," emphasizing its sovereign right to pursue independent economic policies in the national interest.

On U.S.-Pakistan Relations

Turning to Washington's long-standing ties with Islamabad, Jaishankar commented, "They have a history with each other, and they have a history of overlooking their history. It is the same military that went into Abbottabad (in Pakistan) and found who there?"-a pointed reference to Osama bin Laden.

On Trump's Diplomatic Style

Jaishankar also took aim at Trump's unconventional, public-first approach to diplomacy. "Trump's way of dealing with the world is a major departure from tradition," he remarked, noting that no previous U.S. President had conducted foreign policy so openly. He argued that key decisions were now being announced publicly before affected countries were consulted, adding that this practice applied not just to India but also to U.S. domestic issues.