New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday said the United States never consulted India before announcing additional tariffs linked to the country’s purchase of Russian oil, calling the manner of the move “highly unusual.”
Speaking at an event, Jaishankar noted that this was the first time a US President had announced foreign policy decisions publicly before engaging in official communication. “We’ve not had a US President who’s conducted foreign policy as publicly as the current one. The fact that a lot of these pronouncements are made first in public—even before being conveyed officially—is highly unusual,” he said.
The comments came in the backdrop of President Donald Trump imposing higher tariffs on India, citing its continued imports of discounted Russian crude. Trump recently announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, along with an additional 25% levy as a penalty for Russian oil purchases, taking the effective tariff rate to 50%.
Jaishankar underlined three major concerns in the ongoing trade talks. First, he stressed the need to protect farmers and small producers, saying, “We have red lines when it comes to the livelihood of our people.” Second, he flagged the selective criticism over oil imports, pointing out that countries like China and members of the European Union have not faced similar action. “The world should not have double standards,” he said.
Defending India’s continued energy ties with Moscow, the minister said purchases were based on energy security and economic considerations. “We are not doing this to provoke anyone. We are doing this because it’s in our national interest,” he said, adding that other nations also maintain energy relationships with Russia.
“It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it,” Jaishankar said.
Despite the tensions, Jaishankar confirmed that India–U.S. trade negotiations remain ongoing. “We will keep engaging, but our interests will not be compromised,” he asserted.
India and Russia, meanwhile, have recently agreed to expand trade ties in energy and other sectors after foreign ministers met in Moscow earlier this week.
On Operation Sindoor
“Phone calls were made by the US, phone calls were made by other countries as well. This is not a secret. At least in my case, every American phone call I had is there on my ‘X’ account… It is quite different to assert a mediation or to assert that an outcome which was negotiated between India and Pakistan was not negotiated between India and Pakistan; it was..,” Jaishankar said, while answering a question on Operation Sindoor.
On Pakistan-US relationship
“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?…” Jaishankar said while addressing a question on the closeness between US and Pakistan.