New Delhi [India], August 20 (ANI): Roman Babushkin, Charge d’Affaires at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi, on Wednesday addressed a press briefing on India-Russia relations and the tariffs imposed by the United States over India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
Babushkin sharply criticised Washington’s tariff decision and the pressure on New Delhi regarding Russian crude imports, describing the moves as “unjustified and unilateral.” His comments came a day after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar began his visit to Moscow to co-chair the Russia-India Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC).
At the press conference, Babushkin remarked, “If Indian goods are facing difficulties entering the US market, the Russian market is welcoming Indian exports.”
On US calls for India to reduce Russian oil imports, Babushkin said, “Russia is the largest producer of oil and India is the largest consumer. Any kind of unilateral action leads to disruptions in supply chains, imbalance in pricing policies, and destabilisation of global markets, endangering the energy security of developing countries. Hypothetically, if India refuses Russian oil, it will not lead to equal cooperation with the West in general because it is not in the Western nature, which was clearly demonstrated in recent years. They behave like neocolonial powers that think of their own benefit. This pressure is unjustified and unilateral.”
Responding to a US trade adviser’s warning that India should halt Russian oil purchases to avoid secondary tariffs, Babushkin maintained that Moscow does not anticipate such a scenario. “If the West criticises you, it means you are doing everything right. We don’t expect that to happen. We know about the challenging circumstances for India. This is the true strategic partnership we are enjoying. Whatever happens, even during challenges, we are committed to removing any problems. The recent phone call by President Putin to Prime Minister Modi, explaining and sharing the information about recent developments in Ukraine, means India matters a lot to Russia. We are capable of finding any solution for mutual satisfaction. The deepening of our partnership will help us grow together.”
He added that despite years of sanctions, Russia’s trade with India continues to grow. “We have seen this problem of sanctions for many years now, but our trade is growing. In recent years, our trade has grown by seven times,” Babushkin noted.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar is co-chairing the IRIGC, a key platform for bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, finance, and defense. Babushkin called the mechanism the “main mechanism of Russian-Indian cooperation.”
“Currently, Dr. Jaishankar is in Russia to co-chair the IRIGC today itself, on the 20th of August. Our meeting is very timely. We are supporting our dignitaries in their conversations. And tomorrow, Dr. Jaishankar will be meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of the platform, Babushkin added, “IRIGC is the main mechanism of Russian-Indian practical cooperation. It prepares the contacts of our leaders. There is information that by the end of the year, our leaders will be meeting in Delhi. No dates have been announced yet.”
The IRIGC alternates between Moscow and New Delhi. This year’s agenda, according to Babushkin, will cover “trade, investments, financial cooperation, energy cooperation, nuclear power, culture, infrastructure, et cetera.”
On the sidelines, a bilateral business forum is being held, co-hosted by the Moscow government’s Business Council on Cooperation with India and India’s Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Looking ahead, Babushkin said, “Among the future engagements is the SCO Summit in China. There are reports that our leaders are also planning to meet over there. Further delegation exchanges are very intense.”
The Russian diplomat also mentioned that President Vladimir Putin had congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on India’s Independence Day, expressed condolences over the floods in Kashmir, and shared details of his recent conversation with US President Donald Trump. (ANI)
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