Russia welcomes Indian exports if goods struggle to enter US market amid tariff war

A senior Russian diplomat on Wednesday said if India finds it difficult to enter into the US market, Russia will welcome Indian exports to its backyard.

".. If Indian goods are facing difficulties entering the US market, the Russian market is welcoming Indian exports....," Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin said as quoted by NDTV.

Babushkin called the US sanctions on India for purchasing Russian oil "unjustified" and hoped the India-Russia ties will withstand the "external pressure".

The diplomat added as quoted by the broadcaster, "It is unjustified. We are confident that India-Russia energy cooperation will continue notwithstanding the external pressure."

"The sanctions are hitting those who are imposing them. It is a challenging situation for India but  we have trust in our ties."

The remark came after the White House on Tuesday said US President Donald Trump sanctioned India to put pressure on Russia and end the Moscow-Kyiv war.

Speaking to the reporters, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "Look, the president has put tremendous public pressure to bring this war to a close. He's taken actions, as you've seen, sanctions on India and other actions as well."

"He's made himself very clear that he wants to see this war end, and he has scoffed at the ideas of others that have been raised that we should wait another month before any meeting takes place."

US imposes extra 25 percent tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil

The Trump administration, which was earlier viewed as India-friendly, has slapped a 25 percent tariff on the South Asian country for its high tariffs on American exports and another 25 percent for purchasing oil from Russia which is fighting a war against Ukraine.

The White House, which has singled out India over Russian oil purchase, said the second 25 percent tariff will be effective from August 27, 2025.

India calls Trump's 25 pct additional tariffs 'unfair, unjustified'

In a calm but strongly worded statement, New Delhi said the extra tariff was "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable" and declared that it would "take all actions necessary to protect national interests".

Within hours, the Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, said the United States "has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia".

PM Modi with Donald Trump during a visit to the US earlier this year. Photo: PIB

"We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest".

"We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the statement added in no uncertain terms.

Modi says 'no compromise'

On the occasion of his country's 79th Independence Day celebrations, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi last Friday reiterated his opposition to any policy that will affect the interests of farmers, fisherfolk and livestock rearers, amid the tariff war.

Modi said, "I will stand like a wall against any policy that is detrimental to the interests of farmers, fisherfolk and livestock rearers."

"India will never compromise on the interests of its farmers, livestock rearers, and fisherfolk," the Prime Minister, who was delivering the address from Red Fort, added.