Good morning. India’s bargain-hunting for discounted Russian oil—saving $3.7 billion since 2022—has drawn ire from Trump’s camp, accusing Delhi of bankrolling Putin’s war. Meanwhile, India’s shrugging it off like a shopper at a geopolitical outlet mall: “Neutrality saves rupees, and we’ve got bills to pay.” Caught between cheap crude and Western frowns, it’s a high-stakes game of price tags vs. principles.

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Trump Adviser Criticizes India’s Russian Oil Purchases

A senior foreign policy adviser to Donald Trump has accused India of indirectly funding Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to buy discounted oil. The aide argued that India’s imports undermine Western sanctions and “subsidize Putin’s war machine.”

India defended its energy policy, citing its reliance on affordable oil to meet domestic demand. Officials emphasized the country’s neutral stance in the conflict, stating they prioritize national interests over geopolitical alliances. Recent data shows Russia remains India’s top oil supplier, accounting for over 30% of imports since early 2022.

Key Context Behind the Dispute

• India has saved an estimated $3.7 billion through discounted Russian crude since 2022.
• Western sanctions pushed Russia to offer oil at below-market rates, redirecting supplies to non-sanctioning nations.
• India pays for Russian oil in rupees or alternative currencies, avoiding direct dollar transactions.

The Trump campaign adviser suggested imposing secondary sanctions on countries trading with Russia if Trump returns to office. Analysts note India is navigating tensions between maintaining ties with the West and securing cost-effective energy sources. The Biden administration has largely avoided public criticism of India’s imports, focusing instead on curbing Russia’s revenue through price caps.

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