New Delhi: Speaking in Hindi, ‘Shuruat karengey. Sri Ganesh Karte hain’, Charge de Affaire’s of Russia in New Delhi, Roman Babushkin gave some music to Indian ears when he derided US sanctions and ensured that Russian oil will keep flowing to India. ‘India's oil imports from Russia will remain stable.’
Babushkin spoke on a number of issues, including the India-Russia partnership amid US President Donald Trump’s 25% penalty on New Delhi for buying Russian oil, Defence cooperation on Jet Engines, trade, culture and President Putin’s upcoming visit by the end of the month.
US sanctionsOn a recent statement by US trade adviser that India should stop buying Russian oil, CDA Roman Babushkin said, "If the West criticises you, it means you are doing everything right...We don't expect that to happen (India to stop buying oil from Russia). We know about the challenging circumstances for India. This is the true strategic partnership we are enjoying. Whatever happens, even during challenges, we are committed to removing any problems...The recent phone call by President Putin to PM Modi ji, explaining and sharing the information about recent developments in Ukraine, means India matters a lot to Russia. We are capable of finding any solution for mutual satisfaction. The deepening of our partnership will help us grow together..."
His remarks came against the backdrop of strain in India's ties with the U.S. following President Donald Trump doubling tariffs on Indian goods to 50% that included an additional penalty of 25% for purchasing Russian crude oil. The U.S. pressure on India for its procurement of Russian crude oil is "unjustified", senior Russian diplomat said on Wednesday.
Special Mechanism for trade"We have seen this problem of sanctions for many years now, but our trade is growing. In recent years, our trade has grown by 7 times," he adds. Babushkin said that Russia is the largest producer of oil and India is the largest consumer. He also said that India and Russia have always found ways to cooperate in difficult times. Russia has "special mechanism" to continue crude oil supplies to India, he said.
In the context of Western punitive measures against Russia, CDA said ‘sanctions are hitting those who are imposing them.’
Meanwhile he said that as per some media reports US plans to not go ahead with the 25% tariff on India after Trump Putin Alaska meeting.
On the way BRICS is going, he said ‘the role of BRICS as a stabilising force will increase amid the ongoing global turbulence.’
Sudarshan Chakra When asked about Russia’s support to India’s ambition to build an Iron Dome like security mechanism, the Deputy chief of the Russian mission flaunted his Hindi and in a lighter tone said, “You mean Sudarshan Chakra? Next time ask me in Hindi, I can answer better”.
PM Modi had announced the security setup during his Independence Day speech, stating that the country will have a robust security system in place by 2035.
On the question if at all India was forced to stop buying oil from Russia, the envoy said, ‘Any kind of unilateral action leads to disruptions in supply chains, imbalance in pricing policies and destabilisation of global markets, endangering the energy security of developing countries. Hypothetically, if India refuses Russian oil, it will not lead to equal cooperation with the West in general because it is not in the Western nature, which was clearly demonstrated in recent years,’ he said.
‘They behave like neo-colonial powers that think of their own benefit. This pressure is unjustified and unilateral’ he added.
The EU last month sanctioned Russian-backed Nayara Energy in India, forcing the refiner to cut processing oil and discouraging companies from trading with it.
Russia India China Trilateral
Commenting on RICs Russian envoy welcomed Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit to India on the same day as ‘successful.’ ‘Russia-India-China’ is an ‘important mechanism’ and that Russia hopes that it will be resumed ‘sooner rather than later’.
On an optimistic note Evgeniy Griva, Deputy Trade Representative at the Embassy, said, trade between India and Russia is set to grow by 10 per cent annually. Griva informed that India buys 40% of its energy needs from Russia that he said almost amounts to half its oil basket. He also said that Russia was ready to give a discount of 5% and that most of the oil trade was country to country.
