Russia has strongly cautioned the United States against imposing tariffs on India, stressing that economic coercion will not succeed in altering New Delhi’s independent policy decisions. The warning comes from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who declared that India and China, as “ancient civilisations,” will not bend under external pressure, particularly when it comes to energy security and trade sovereignty.
The statement follows Washington’s recent move to slap additional duties on Indian exports, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of discounted Russian crude oil. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has returned to the political spotlight, had earlier threatened harsher penalties but has now begun softening his rhetoric, signalling awareness of the limitations of such measures.
Lavrov argued that U.S. ultimatums are only pushing India and China toward alternative markets and suppliers. He underlined that both countries reject threats that compromise their sovereign decision-making. Russia, he added, remains committed to deepening its energy and trade ties with India, offering long-term cooperation in oil, gas, and joint projects.
For India, the U.S. tariffs pose immediate risks to export competitiveness, but officials maintain that energy imports from Russia are dictated by national interest and affordability. Indian policymakers have described the duties as unjustified and politically motivated.
The geopolitical tussle underscores India’s balancing act — maintaining close ties with both Washington and Moscow. While the U.S. seeks to limit Russia’s global outreach, New Delhi continues to pursue a pragmatic, multi-aligned foreign policy that prioritizes energy security and strategic autonomy.
Analysts believe that Trump’s softened stance could open space for negotiations, but the larger debate highlights the growing friction between trade sanctions and sovereign choices in a multipolar world.
