‘Securing Energy Needs Is Our Priority’: India On NATO Chief’s Warning For Buying Russian Oil

Last Updated:July 17, 2025, 16:31 IST

India responded to NATO's warning of sanctions for buying Russian oil, stressing India's priority to secure energy needs and warning against double standards.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. (ANI)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday responded to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s stark warning that India could face “severe secondary sanctions" for buying Russian oil, saying that securing energy needs is an overriding priority for New Delhi.

The ministry further said that New Delhi is guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances. It further said that India will particularly caution against any double standards on the matter.

“We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following the developments. Let me reiterate that securing energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us. In this endeavor, we are guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances. We would particularly caution against any double standards on the matter," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while addressing the press briefing.

The MEA’s response came a day after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned India along with Brazil and China about buying Russian oil, cautioning that they could face severe secondary sanctions and penalties if they continue doing business with Moscow.

While speaking to reporters after meeting US senators on Wednesday, Rutte urged leaders in Delhi, Beijing and Brasilia to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to take peace negotiations seriously.

His remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump unveiled a new weapons package for Ukraine and threatened “biting" secondary tariffs of 100% on buyers of Russian exports unless a peace agreement is reached within 50 days.

“My encouragement to these three countries, particularly is, if you live now in Beijing, or in Delhi, or you are the president of Brazil, you might want to take a look into this, because this might hit you very hard," Rutte told reporters. He had met with Trump on Monday and endorsed the new measures.

“So please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way," he added.

Since the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, India has ramped up the purchase of discounted Russian oil. As Russian energy exports are central to the country’s economy, and Putin’s war-waging capabilities, many Western leaders and commentators have frequently criticised India.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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