India’s Russian oil purchases just one irritation: Rubio.
A major stumbling block preventing India and the United States from finalizing a trade agreement has been India’s strong opposition to allowing greater access to its agriculture and dairy markets for American products. While both nations have made progress on various trade fronts, this particular issue remains unresolved. India has long protected its domestic farmers and dairy producers, fearing that opening up to large-scale U.S. imports could hurt local livelihoods and disrupt the fragile rural economy.
between New Delhi and Washington. Speaking in an interview with Fox Radio on Thursday, Rubio didn’t mince words as he linked India’s energy imports directly to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. He stated that India’s actions are “helping to sustain Moscow’s war efforts,” and while not the only friction in the U.S.-India relationship, it remains a significant one.
According to Rubio, the Biden administration is becoming increasingly frustrated with India’s position on Russian oil. Despite having access to alternative oil sources from the Middle East, the United States, and other global markets, India continues to engage in large-scale oil purchases from Moscow—largely because of the discounted prices Russia offers.
“India has huge energy needs,” Rubio acknowledged. In many cases, they’re selling it under the global price because of the sanctions.”
Rubio’s comments bring into sharp focus a difficult balancing act for India. As one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, India has to ensure its energy security, especially in a global market characterized by volatility and geopolitical tension. While the U.S. and its allies have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russian oil in response to the invasion of Ukraine, countries like India and China have emerged as key buyers, attracted by significantly lower prices.
India, for its part, has defended its position, repeatedly stressing that its oil purchases are guided by national interests. Indian officials have stated that their procurement of Russian oil is entirely legal and falls outside the purview of Western sanctions. New Delhi has also emphasized its historical ties with Moscow, especially in the realm of defense cooperation, and reiterated that it maintains an independent foreign policy that serves the needs of its 1.4 billion citizens.
While both nations have ramped up cooperation on defense, technology, and critical minerals, there are growing murmurs in Washington about India’s energy policy and its reluctance to publicly criticize Russia over the war in Ukraine. Rubio’s latest remarks add to that chorus of concern, highlighting that strategic convergence cannot paper over fundamental disagreements.
Beyond oil, Rubio hinted that India and the U.S. face several other “points of irritation” that often go under the radar. Trade differences, such as disputes over tariffs and market access, remain unresolved. India’s firm stance against opening up its agriculture and dairy sectors for American goods has been a key stumbling block in signing a comprehensive trade deal between the two countries. Additionally, India’s deepening ties with Iran and its historical non-aligned stance have also complicated strategic alignment on global issues.
Despite these challenges, there is recognition on both sides that the broader relationship is too important to be derailed. The U.S. sees India as a critical counterbalance to China in the Indo-Pacific, while India values American support in areas ranging from advanced technology to defense modernization.
Rubio’s candid remarks may not shift India’s energy strategy overnight, but they do signal rising impatience in Washington. As geopolitical tensions deepen and global alliances shift, how India navigates its oil diplomacy with Russia will continue to be closely watched—not just in the West, but around the world.