New Delhi: India has firmly rejected recent warnings from NATO over its continued trade relations with Russia. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that no external entity needs to interfere in India’s sovereign decisions, particularly when it comes to matters of national interest such as energy security.
Responding to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s remarks—where he cautioned countries like India, China, and Brazil against continuing trade with Russia—Jaiswal said that every nation makes decisions based on its own requirements and priorities. He emphasised that ensuring the energy needs of Indian citizens remains a top priority and that India would act based on market availability and prevailing global conditions. He further noted that India remains vigilant against any form of double standards in international diplomacy.
The statement comes after NATO and the United States warned of stringent sanctions and increased tariffs on nations that continue to purchase goods or energy supplies from Russia. NATO called on global leaders to exert pressure on Russia to engage in peace talks, warning of 100% tariffs on those trading with Moscow if such efforts fail to materialise.