Piyush Goyal Defends India’s Oil Imports from Russia, Hits Out at Western Hypocrisy

US President Donald Trump has been persistently trying to get India to desist from buying Russian oil. Nevertheless, India keeps buying, looking at its requirements and the interests of its people. At the same time, the US exempted the UK from the Russian oil ban. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has criticized Western countries' double standards on Russian oil and questioned reports that Germany and the UK are seeking exemptions from the US ban. Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue in Germany, Goyal emphasized India's open trade policy and stated clearly that the country would not sign any trade deal "at gunpoint."

Trump has imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India for purchasing oil from Russia, bringing the total tariff on India to 50 percent. This means that the US is currently charging India a 50 percent tariff. Meanwhile, US President Trump continues to make various statements that India will soon stop purchasing oil from Russia.

When asked about entering into a sustainable trade agreement with conditions, Goyal emphasized that India chooses its international partners solely based on national interests. He said that external attempts to limit India's relations with any country are unacceptable.

Piyush Goyal said, "The decision to purchase a particular product from any country must be taken by the entire world together." Goyal spoke about the current international situation, citing Germany's request for an exemption from the US ban on Russian oil and the UK's explicit request for a similar exemption, and questioned why India is being scrutinized in similar circumstances.

He said, "I was reading in today's newspaper that Germany is seeking an exemption from US sanctions on oil. The UK has already arranged, or perhaps received, an exemption to purchase oil from the US."