The United States’ recent criticism of India’s purchase of Russian oil, coupled with threats of tariffs and sanctions, has sparked accusations of hypocrisy and double standards. While U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have accused India of fueling Russia’s war machine in Ukraine, other major buyers like China face less scrutiny despite importing larger volumes of Russian oil. This discrepancy, highlighted by a viral video of former U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti admitting the U.S. encouraged India’s oil purchases to stabilize global prices, underscores a pattern of selective pressure on India. This article examines the U.S.’s inconsistent stance, the reasons behind targeting India, and the broader implications for global energy markets and geopolitics, drawing on recent developments as of August 2025.
Background: U.S. Policy and Russian Oil
The Price Cap Mechanism
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G7 Strategy: In response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the G7 and European Union imposed a price cap on Russian oil to limit Moscow’s revenue while maintaining global energy supply. Unlike Iranian or Venezuelan oil, Russian crude is not under a full ban, allowing countries like India to purchase it legally below the cap.
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U.S. Encouragement: Former U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti, in a 2024 statement, admitted that the U.S. encouraged India to buy Russian oil to prevent global price spikes, noting that India’s purchases aligned with the price cap’s design to stabilize markets. This was echoed by U.S. Treasury Secretary in 2022 and Biden’s Energy Adviser in 2024, who praised India’s role in keeping prices stable.
India’s Role in the Global Oil Market
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Increased Imports: India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, ramped up Russian oil purchases post-2022 sanctions, with Russian crude accounting for 35–40% of India’s imports in 2024, up from 3% in 2021. This shift saved India billions, with imports at 1.79 million barrels per day in 2025, per Kpler data.
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Economic Necessity: India’s Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized that buying discounted Russian oil protects millions of poor Indians from rising energy costs, with global crude prices potentially hitting $200 per barrel if India halted purchases.
U.S. Hypocrisy: Selective Targeting of India
Disproportionate Pressure on India
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Tariff Threats: In August 2025, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, escalating to 50%, citing India’s Russian oil imports as “financing the Russian war machine.” This followed a July EU sanction on Nayara Energy, an Indian refiner majority-owned by Russia’s Rosneft.
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China’s Exemption: China, importing 1.1 million barrels per day of Russian oil, faces no similar tariffs or sanctions, despite its larger role in sustaining Russia’s economy. Marco Rubio, in a Fox News interview, cautioned that targeting Chinese refiners would disrupt global oil markets, revealing a double standard.
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Western Imports: The U.S. and EU continue importing Russian energy indirectly. Between January 2024 and January 2025, the U.S. imported $192 million in refined oil products, including $135 million from India’s Vadinar refinery, which processes Russian crude. The EU spent €7 billion on Russian LNG in 2024, with volumes rising 9% year-on-year.
Reasons India Is Targeted
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Geopolitical Leverage: Analysts suggest India’s non-aligned stance and growing global influence make it an easier target than China, which holds significant economic leverage over the U.S. Sara Vakhshouri of SVB Energy International called Trump’s tariffs a “negotiation tactic” to reclaim U.S. oil market share in India.
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Optics and Politics: India’s rising prominence in global energy markets threatens established hierarchies, making it a convenient scapegoat for Western criticism, as noted in a 2025 India Today report. Meanwhile, allies like Turkey, a NATO member, import 26% of Russia’s refined oil without facing similar scrutiny.
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Domestic Pressure: Trump’s focus on India aligns with his “America First” policy, appealing to domestic audiences by targeting a visible partner, while avoiding confrontation with China due to trade talks, as seen in his softened stance post-Putin summit in 2025.
Implications
Economic Impact
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India’s Response: India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” highlighting Western hypocrisy. Indian refiners like Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum have reduced Russian oil imports due to narrowing discounts but maintain no official halt, prioritizing energy security.
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Global Markets: A sudden halt in India’s Russian oil purchases could push Brent crude prices to $80 or above, per industry sources, disrupting global economies, including the U.S., where gasoline prices are politically sensitive.
Geopolitical Ramifications
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India-U.S. Relations: The tariffs strain the U.S.-India strategic partnership, with former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell warning that the relationship, critical for the 21st century, is “at risk.” India’s pushback, accusing the West of trading more with Russia, signals growing assertiveness.
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Russia’s Resilience: Russia earned $939 billion from fossil fuel exports from 2022 to 2025, with NATO members contributing $335 billion, undermining Western sanctions. India’s role, while significant, is dwarfed by broader global trade, reducing the effectiveness of targeting India.
Challenges
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Economic Strain: Tariffs could impact over 50% of India’s $44 billion exports to the U.S., per the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, escalating trade tensions and affecting industries like textiles and pharmaceuticals.
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Energy Security: India’s reliance on Russian oil, now 36% of imports, complicates compliance with U.S. demands, risking domestic energy shortages if alternative suppliers like Iraq or Saudi Arabia cannot fill the gap.
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Diplomatic Fallout: India’s accusations of Western double standards, backed by data showing EU and U.S. imports from Russia, could strain alliances, as seen in 2025 Al Jazeera reports.
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China’s Advantage: By sparing China, the U.S. risks alienating India, pushing it closer to Russia and China, as evidenced by India’s continued CPEC discussions within the BRI framework.
Opportunities
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Strengthened Indian Stance: India’s firm response could enhance its global standing, positioning it as a leader in challenging Western hypocrisy, as seen in 65% of supportive X posts.
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Alternative Suppliers: India could diversify oil imports, leveraging its $5 billion trade with Gulf nations, reducing reliance on Russia while maintaining price stability.
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Regional Cooperation: The controversy could accelerate India’s integration into BRICS and SCO frameworks, strengthening ties with Russia and China to counter Western pressure.
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Global Energy Reforms: India’s role in stabilizing oil markets could inspire a reevaluation of sanctions, promoting transparent global energy trade policies.
