India Rejects NATO Chief’s Sanctions Threat Over Russia Oil Trade, Reaffirms Energy Security as Priority

India on Thursday firmly rejected NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s threat of imposing “100 percent secondary sanctions” on nations trading with Russia, stressing that protection of the country’s energy security is its “overriding priority.” The statement follows warnings from both Rutte and US President Donald Trump, targeting India, China, and Brazil for their continued oil and gas purchases from Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Responding to questions at a weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s pragmatic approach. “We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following developments. Securing the energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us. In this endeavour, we are guided by what is available in the markets and by prevailing global circumstances. We would particularly caution against any double standards on the matter,” Jaiswal said.

The strong response came hours after NATO’s Mark Rutte, fresh from meetings with US lawmakers, escalated rhetoric by threatening severe economic penalties against Russia’s biggest trade partners. In his appeal, Rutte urged the leaders of India, China, and Brazil to pressure Moscow for a peace deal, warning failure could “slam back” on their economies via hefty secondary sanctions if Russia did not negotiate with Ukraine.

India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also appeared unfazed by the warnings, highlighting New Delhi’s options to diversify energy supplies from emerging producers such as Guyana, Brazil, and Canada, if necessary. He stressed that India’s energy procurement is based on commercial needs and that any attempt to dictate its energy policy is unacceptable.

The warning comes as Russia’s share of India’s oil imports surged following Western sanctions, with Moscow now the nation’s single-largest crude supplier. Indian officials have repeatedly defended the trade, arguing it keeps domestic prices stable for consumers amid global disruptions and that New Delhi abides by applicable international sanctions frameworks.

Reactions across social media and the Indian policy community were swift, with many users calling the threats “hypocrisy” from the West, citing continued trade and exceptions made by European countries in the past. Analysts also noted that, despite geopolitical pressures, India’s reliance on Russian energy has been critical for price stability and economic recovery post-pandemic.

Background figures reflect the stakes: Since early 2022, Indian refiners have ramped up purchases of discounted Russian crude, saving billions in import costs. While Western nations have pressured India and others to reduce ties, New Delhi maintains its purchases are legal and serve its vast population’s interests.

As the Ukraine conflict grinds on, Western leaders are intensifying diplomatic pressure on countries that maintain close economic relations with Russia. However, India’s government insists its decisions will remain rooted in national interest and energy security, signaling no change to its policy despite external threats.