【By Observer Net, Shao Yun】

"India Counteracts NATO's Sanctions Warning", according to India's Economic Times and Deccan Herald, among others, 17 reports said that regarding the NATO Secretary-General's attempt to use "secondary sanctions" to pressure India and other countries to adjust their trade relations with Russia, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson made a firm response on the same day, warning Rutte not to "double standards" on this issue.

The report said that the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated at the regular press conference on the same day that India has seen the relevant reports about Rutte's remarks and is "closely monitoring the development of events."

"Let me reiterate... ensuring the energy needs of our people is undoubtedly our top priority. In this process, we will be guided by market supply and the current global situation. We are particularly vigilant against any double standards that may appear on this issue," Jaiswal said.

The Deccan Herald noted on the 17th that when Jaiswal answered questions from reporters, he also implied that India does not rule out the possibility of resuming the trilateral cooperation mechanism with China and Russia. "This is a platform for the three countries to discuss global and regional issues of mutual interest," he said, "as for when specific meetings of the trilateral cooperation mechanism between China, Russia, and India will be held, it will be determined jointly by the three countries, and we will inform the public at an appropriate time."

The report analyzed that Jaiswal's move aims to emphasize India's own "strategic autonomy".

July 17, Jaiswal presided over the regular press conference of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Jaiswal's social media

On the previous day, Rutte told U.S. senators in Washington that if India, Brazil, and China do not pressure Russia to "take seriously" the peace talks with Ukraine, the United States might use secondary sanctions for "punishment." He claimed at the time, "My urging to these three countries is that if you now live in Beijing, Delhi, or if you are the president of Brazil, you may pay close attention to this matter, because it could cause you very serious consequences."

The Deccan Herald said that Rutte's "warning" later caused a big uproar in India. Indian officials pointed out that after Russia launched its "special military operation" against Ukraine in February 2022, Western countries continued to buy fossil fuels from Russia, yet demanded other countries to cut off energy trade relations with Russia, which itself is "double standards."

In fact, European and NATO member states remain the main buyers of Russian energy exports. Data from the Finnish think tank "Center for Energy and Clean Air Research" (CREA) shows that since 2022, the EU has been the largest buyer of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline gas, while Turkey, a NATO member state, has been the largest buyer of Russian oil products.

CREA's report also found that the expenditure of EU countries on Russian fossil fuels has exceeded the aid provided to Ukraine in military and financial terms. According to the information, the total amount of fossil fuels imported by EU countries from Russia in 2024 was 21.9 billion euros, a decrease of 6% compared to 2023, but the import volume decreased only by 1% year-on-year. In the same year, the EU provided military and financial aid to Ukraine worth 18.7 billion euros.

Additionlly, according to Reuters on the 17th, Hardeep Singh Puri, the Indian Minister of Petroleum, said at an industry event that even if the supply of Russian oil is affected by U.S. secondary sanctions, India is confident in meeting its oil demand through other sources.

"I am not worried at all. If something happens, we will handle it," Puri said, "India has achieved diversification of supply sources, and the number of countries from which we purchase has increased from about 27 in the past to about 40 now."

In response to Rutte's verbal "threat", China has repeatedly made clear statements. On the 16th, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a press conference that I would like to reiterate that China has always believed that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable way to resolve the Ukraine crisis, and firmly opposes any illegal unilateral sanctions and "long-arm jurisdiction".

"There are no winners in a tariff war, and coercion and pressure cannot solve problems. We hope that all parties can further create an atmosphere and accumulate conditions for the political resolution of the Ukraine crisis, and do more things that are beneficial for promoting peace talks," Lin Jian said.

Additionally, during the regular press conference on the 17th, a Russian media reporter asked: Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko said that Russia is currently negotiating with China and India on restoring the trilateral cooperation mechanism. He pointed out that Russia maintains a positive attitude towards promoting the operation of the mechanism. What is the comment from the Foreign Ministry?

To this, Lin Jian said that the China-Russia-India cooperation not only conforms to the interests of the three countries, but also benefits the peace, security, stability, and progress of the region and even the world. China is willing to maintain communication with Russia and India to promote the China-Russia-India cooperation.

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