India counters EU pressure on Russian oil

India has denounced the European Union’s pressure tactics against New Delhi for importing and refining Russian oil, arguing that it prioritises its own energy security.

When questioned by the media at a press briefing on Wednesday about Brussels’ 18th package of sanctions against Moscow, which directly targeted an Indian refinery, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the bloc needed to have a clear perception of the global energy situation.

“We have been clear that so far as energy security is concerned it is the highest priority of the government of India to provide energy security for the people of India and we will do what we need to do with regard to that,” Misri stated.

“On energy-related issues also, as we have said previously, it is important not to have double standards and to have a clear perception of what the global situation is in so far as the broader energy market is concerned and where the providers of energy goods are located and where they are going to come from and who needs energy at what point in time,” he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Reuters reported that two tankers had not loaded fuel from the sanctions-hit Indian refinery as scheduled. 

”We do understand that there is an important and serious security issue that is confronting Europe, but the rest of the world is also there,” Misri said. “It is also dealing with issues that are existential for the rest of the world, and I think it's important to keep balance and perspective when talking about these issues.”  

Moscow has emerged as India’s key oil supplier since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, accounting for nearly 40% of India’s crude imports. New Delhi, in parallel, has become a major exporter of refined fuels to Europe since 2023.