Double Standards? America Pressures India but Boosts Business with Moscow

International News:In recent days, relations between India and the United States have faced tension after President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on Indian imports. His decision came with the claim that India’s oil trade with Russia was helping Moscow during its conflict with Ukraine.

Trade Contradictions Exposed

The move drew attention because, on August 15, Trump himself admitted that during his second term, trade between the US and Russia had actually grown by 20%. This revelation raised questions about America’s policy, as India was being punished for buying oil from Russia, while Washington was also expanding its own trade ties with Moscow.

Putin Reacts at Summit

At the Alaska summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin underlined the irony. He said, “Since the new US administration came to power, bilateral trade with America has been increasing. Our growth rate is around 20%. This shows there are wide possibilities for cooperation, from business and technology to space research.”

Indian Politicians Criticize US Approach

Several Indian leaders expressed anger at what they called Washington’s double standards. Priyanka Chaturvedi, MP from Shiv Sena (UBT), wrote that while China (32%) and the European Union (62%) take major shares of Russian exports, only India is being singled out. She also pointed out that the EU imported a record 17.8 million tonnes of LNG from Russia in 2024, yet no such penalties were applied there. According to her, this was not fair trade but “targeted pressure.”

India’s Firm Reply

India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded strongly, describing the tariff as unfair and discriminatory. Officials noted that despite America’s harsh stance, other big economies continue to buy Russian oil without restrictions. They added that India will not accept policies that place an unequal burden on it while sparing others.