US tariff row: Russian Ambassador to India says, "Friends do not impose sanctions"

Russia's Ambassador to India, Roman Babushkin, during a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, said that friends do not impose sanctions, while referring to USA's 50 percent tariffs threat on India. 

Babushkin said, "The US has weaponised the economy. Friends do not impose sanctions. Russia will never impose sanctions. Russia understands the importance of India's relations with the West. We are non-West, not anti-West. India and Russia have always found ways to cooperate in difficult times." 

Here is all that the Russian Ambassador said during the press conference: 

India-Russia trade

Talking about Russia's trade with India, Babushkin said that Russia is taking steps to address the trade imbalance with India by addressing trade barriers. We need to increase Indian exports to Russia. The key export items are machinery, pharma, tea, and rice. Russia and India are on track to achieve a target of trade worth $100 billion by 2030. Russia remains one of the biggest suppliers of fertilisers and energy to India.  

Adding, "If Indian goods are facing barriers in other countries, Russian markets will welcome them." 

On India's purchasing of Russian crude oil

When asked whether there will be a pause on India-Russia crude oil trade amid US tariff threats, Babushkin said, "We don't expect that to happen. Russia has a special mechanism to continue crude oil supplies to India. We are committed to sit with India to address these problems and remove them." 

Russia provides 40% oil to India, at a discount of 5% per barrel. 

India and Russia's Defence ties

Babushkin, while talking about the defence ties between India and Russia, said, "Russia is the partner of choice (for India). We have jointly developed the BrahMos cruise missile and are working on other sophisticated equipment, including jet engines. Operation Sindoor was a very successful battle test of Russian weapons, including the S-400. When India creates an air defence system, Russian equipment will be a part of it." 

He also said that India and Russia are also in talks for developing small and modular nuclear reactors. 

US sanctions

Babushkin said, "The US pressure on India to curb New Delhi's oil trade with Moscow, by way of a 50% tariff on imports, is unjustified and unilateral. The US actions are decreasing confidence in the dollar." 

He also welcomed the cordial talks between India and China, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India, stating, "The 'Russia-India-China' is an important mechanism. It will be resumed sooner rather than later."