India Complains to Trump: Countries That Criticize Us Also Do Business with Russia, Why Not Punish Them
Responding to US President Trump's threat that India would face additional tariffs if it continues to purchase Russian oil, the Indian Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement on August 4 local time, criticizing the US accusations as "unfounded and unreasonable." "The countries that criticize India are still continuing trade with Russia," the statement emphasized that India "will take all necessary measures to safeguard national interests and economic security."
The New York Times of the United States reported on the 5th that Indian officials and analysts also questioned why, if the US action aims to pressure Russia, it does not punish other countries such as Turkey that also purchase Russian oil.
On the morning of the 4th, Trump again accused India on his self-created social media platform "Truth Social," saying, "India not only purchased a large amount of Russian oil, but also put it on the open market for profit," showing no concern for the Ukrainian people, "therefore, I will significantly increase the tariffs India pays to the US." Last week, he had already announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods.
The Indian Foreign Ministry later refuted this, stating that India expanded its import of Russian oil because after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, traditional oil supply sources were shifted to Europe, and at that time "the US actively encouraged India to do so to strengthen the stability of the global energy supply chain."
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839598756831239/
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