White House Urges Europe To Enact Tariffs On India Over Russian Oil Purchases

The White House is urging European countries to impose secondary tariffs on India, similar to the U.S. threats if India continues buying Russian crude. Sources revealed that the U.S. wants Europe to stop importing oil and gas from India due to its ongoing trade with Russia. The administration accuses India of indirectly funding Russia's war in Ukraine through these energy transactions, according to India Today.

India has publicly criticized the U.S. tariffs, calling out the West's double standards. Indian officials argue that China is the largest buyer of Russian oil, and European nations have also been purchasing Russian energy products without facing similar tariffs. Despite this, Washington remains firm in its stance.

U.S.-Europe Coordination on Sanctions

A senior Oval Office source mentioned that White House officials are growing impatient with European leaders. The U.S. accuses Europe of encouraging Ukraine to demand maximalist territorial claims, which they believe has worsened the conflict. Trump's advisors suspect some European leaders are undermining diplomatic efforts despite publicly supporting them.

This perceived duplicity has strained coordination between the U.S. and Europe regarding sanctions enforcement. While Trump's tariffs have put economic pressure on India, European leaders have largely remained silent, neither supporting nor openly criticizing these measures.

India's Response to Allegations

The timing is crucial as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin soon. Discussions at the summit will likely focus on Trump's tariffs and India's Russian oil purchases.

The U.S. accuses India of profiting from Russian oil by refining it and selling it elsewhere. However, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar refuted these claims, stating, "If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don't buy it." He defended India's purchase of discounted Russian crude as beneficial for both national and global interests.

India's Stance on Oil Purchases

Jaishankar emphasized that India's actions aim to stabilize the oil market while serving national interests. "We are buying [Russian] oil to stabilise the oil market. Yes, it is in our national interest. We have never pretended otherwise, but we also say it is in global interest," he stated at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum.

The administration now seeks active cooperation from Europe in imposing coordinated sanctions against India. The silence from European leaders needs breaking with decisive action against India's continued energy trade with Russia.