A senior politician in the United States has renewed calls for harsh economic penalties on India, after Washington’s repeated efforts to pressure New Delhi into cutting Russian oil imports did not succeed. U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who was recently in New Delhi as part of a high-level delegation, has openly demanded that stricter tariffs be imposed on countries that continue to buy Russian oil.

India has become a major focus of these threats because it has refused to compromise on its energy needs despite months of Western persuasion. New Delhi has continued to import large volumes of Russian crude, stressing that its priority is energy security for its citizens, not Western political dictates. Fitzpatrick had suggested during his trip that Indian refiners were beginning to shift under “sustained U.S. pressure,” but facts on the ground reveal a very different picture.

According to a report by Reuters, India’s imports of Russian oil are expected to rise in September, not fall. Yet, the Republican lawmaker, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee’s CIA Subcommittee, has returned to Washington pressing for further tariffs. Backing him, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham issued a detailed statement echoing support for former President Donald Trump’s push for coordinated action. Graham’s message was direct: if India continues to purchase Russian crude, Washington will retaliate with more tariffs.

Another round of pressure tactics from Washington

In his remarks, Senator Graham applauded Trump for “urging America and Europe to impose serious tariffs on China for propping up Putin’s war machine by buying cheap Russian oil and gas.” He went on to argue that such measures should also target India and Brazil, calling it “the right approach to bring maximum economic pressure to bear.”

Graham further revealed that lawmakers from both parties are now moving to introduce legislation granting Trump the power to act aggressively. “We will be urging our colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to join us in advancing this legislation and standing with freedom against tyranny,” he declared. His words underline that new sanctions and tariffs could soon become law.

This shows that Washington is bracing for another cycle of economic coercion. Trump has already doubled tariffs on several Indian imports in recent weeks, and members of Congress are now pressing for secondary penalties aimed directly at New Delhi.

Modi government refuses to give in

Despite this relentless campaign of pressure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration have left no doubt that India will not bow. Instead of scaling back purchases, Indian refiners are preparing to increase imports of Russian oil, seizing the benefit of discounted prices while broadening their supply network.

Officials in New Delhi have underlined that this policy is driven not by politics but by pragmatism. Cheaper oil purchases have allowed India to contain inflation and shield its 140 crore citizens from the global energy crunch. The government has repeatedly stressed that India will always make decisions rooted in its national interest, regardless of Western “virtue signalling.”

Jaishankar’s firm defence

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has been particularly outspoken in countering Western criticism. Speaking in Moscow on August 22, he dismissed allegations that India was destabilising the global order. “We are not the biggest purchasers of Russian oil; that is China. We are not the biggest purchasers of LNG; that is the European Union. We are not the country which has the biggest trade surge with Russia after 2022,” he clarified, calling it “perplexing” that India was being singled out.

He also highlighted how India’s oil purchases have actually helped stabilise global supply. “We are a country where the Americans have said for the last few years that we should do everything to stabilise the world energy market, including buying oil from Russia. Incidentally, we also buy oil from the U.S., and that amount has increased. So honestly, we are very perplexed at the logic of the argument,” he noted.

At another event later in August, Jaishankar delivered an even sharper message: “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. But Europe buys, America buys. If you don’t like it, don’t buy from us.” His words struck a powerful chord, exposing the double standards at play. While European nations continue importing Russian LNG and the U.S. still purchases Russian uranium, India alone is being pressured to cut energy ties.

PM Modi’s unwavering stand

Prime Minister Modi too has given a clear response. “The pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it all.” He stressed that the government will always place the interests of farmers, small and medium enterprises, and ordinary citizens above any foreign demand. For him, ensuring affordable energy for India’s economy is non-negotiable, no matter the external pressure.

The numbers back up this confidence. India is currently importing more than a million barrels of Russian crude every day, often at prices far below international benchmarks. Reports indicate that Russian Urals crude is being sold to India at a discount of $3–$4 per barrel compared to Brent, further strengthening New Delhi’s resolve.

Trump’s 50% Tariffs on India: A Turning Point

The United States took a sharp turn on August 27, when President Donald Trump made a bold move by imposing 50% tariffs on most Indian imports. Half of these duties were specifically aimed at India’s oil trade with Russia, which U.S. officials claim helps fund the war in Ukraine.

As Congressman Fitzpatrick noted that Indian refiners may be considering reducing their Russian oil imports, he described the potential change as “a consequential shift that directly undermines Moscow’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine”.

India’s Logic: Meeting Needs and Global Stability

Explaining India’s view, Jaishankar said that buying crude oil from Russia not only support India’s domestic needs but also help keep international prices stable. “Yes, it is in our national interest, but it is also in global interest,” he stated.

During a visit to Russia for annual bilateral talks, trade expansion was a major topic. At the same time, Jaishankar made India’s position on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict very clear. “We desire an early cessation of hostilities,” he said, reaffirming that India wants peace even while managing its economic needs.

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri spoke on India’s diversification in oil supply. He noted India now buys from nearly 40 countries instead of 27 previously. This step gives India more flexibility if supply is disrupted. This strategy brings stronger energy security and helps the country avoid being too dependent on any one source.

Negotiations with Washington: No Breakthrough Yet

Even though U.S. officials have visited often and tried to persuade India, their efforts have not succeeded. Fitzpatrick's office claimed Indian refiners were preparing to scale back their Russian imports, but the evidence shows something else.

According to a report by Reuters, Reliance Industries and Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy are actually preparing to increase their purchases by 10–20% this month. That means an additional 150,000-300,000 barrels per day will flow in from Russia.

This directly contradicts Washington’s narrative that pressure tactics are working. Instead, the opposite seems true: India is doubling down. The recent reports also show that India is buying Russian oil at discounts, which strengthens its economy but frustrates American lawmakers.

Growing Ties with Russia and China

India’s deepening relations with Russia and China show it is not giving in—and Prime Minister Modi is holding firm. Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China. Their bilateral meeting there came not long after the U.S. imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India because of its Russian oil imports.

At that meeting in Tianjin, China, PM Modi addressed the war in Ukraine with these words: “We have been continuously discussing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. We welcome all the recent efforts for peace. We hope that all parties will move forward constructively. A way has to be found to end the conflict as soon as possible and establish lasting peace. This is the call of the entire humanity.”

He repeated: “We welcome all the recent efforts for peace,” emphasizing that India does not oppose peace but will defend its rights.

This was more than just a friendly meeting. It was a message: India will not be forced to change its choices. At the same time, India is active in multilateral groups like BRICS and SCO, where China has strong influence. For New Delhi, these platforms offer both strategic and economic opportunities. They help India keep its independence even under Western pressure.

Western Double Standards

A major issue in all this is the hypocrisy, as seen by India. Europe still imports large amounts of Russian LNG, yet it is not facing the same criticism. The U.S. continues to buy Russian uranium for its nuclear industry but is not being called out. India, on the other hand, has clearly explained its position and acted openly. Yet it is repeatedly singled out.

In 2022, the European Union paid over $120 billion to Russia for fossil fuels. In the same year, India’s payments were less than half that—around $50 billion. Despite this, Western governments have focused their criticism on New Delhi, ignoring their own dependence on Russian energy.

Jaishankar has often pointed out this inconsistency. “Arguments used to target India have not been applied to China,” he noted, adding that many critics were quiet when oil prices around the world spiked in 2022 and while India’s purchases from Russia helped stabilise markets.

India’s Clear Message of Sovereignty

At the center of India’s stance is a simple but firm principle: national interest comes first. Jaishankar has repeatedly made it clear that India will not give up its energy security. Modi has echoed that same message, saying India will not yield to foreign pressure.

Though the threats of U.S. tariffs and congressional resolutions make headlines in Washington, they are not shifting policy in New Delhi. India has shown it can resist pressure, protect its economy, and still take part in global affairs—while calling for peace and diplomacy in Ukraine.

The newest calls for more tariffs, pushed by Congressman Fitzpatrick and backed by Senator Graham, underline America’s frustration. But the facts speak clearly: negotiations have failed, tariffs have not stopped the imports, and India’s oil purchases from Russia are still rising. For Modi’s government, this is a matter of sovereignty—and survival. Buying cheaper Russian oil keeps the economy running and protects citizens from inflation.