Saralnama
Russia has reaffirmed its support for India, stating that Western criticism often indicates doing the right thing and that India is unlikely to stop purchasing Russian oil despite US tariffs. Roman Babushkin, Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Embassy in India, said India-Russia strategic ties remain strong amid Western pressures, including a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods and an additional 25 percent levy on Russian crude imports by the US. Babushkin highlighted that Russia offers an alternative market for Indian exports if US trade barriers persist and criticized Western sanctions as risking supply chain disruptions and energy insecurity in developing countries. He emphasized Russia as the largest oil producer and India as the largest consumer, warning that unilateral sanctions could destabilize global markets. Babushkin also noted that refusing Russian oil would not improve India's cooperation with Western powers, which he described as acting in self-interest. He confirmed that Russia has mechanisms to ensure steady crude supplies to India and that trade between the two countries has grown sevenfold despite sanctions. The envoy mentioned President Putin's planned visit to India by year-end and confirmed India will receive the remaining S-400 missile systems as scheduled. These remarks come amid rising India-US trade… (Updated 20 Aug 2025, 15:03 IST; source: link)