Explained: How West indulges in hypocrisy over India’s Russian oil trade
US President Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff increase on Indian imports, totaling 50%, for purchasing Russian oil highlights the West's double standard. While the EU has received 23% of Russia's fossil fuel export revenue since the Ukraine conflict began (compared to India's 13%), over half of Russian oil is transported by G7+ tankers. This exposes the hypocrisy of criticising India for energy independence while the West continues extensive trade with Russia.
New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has announced an additional 25% tariffs on imports from India for buying oil from Russia, which has brought the overall penalty to 50%. Amid the announcement, a look at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) data reveals the double standards of the West in targeting New Delhi.
The data brings to the fore the fact that since the Ukraine conflict began, nations of European Union have accounted for 23% of Russia’s fossil fuel export revenues, compared to 13% of India. What's more, over half of Russian oil shipments are currently being transported by G7+ tankers.
The blatant hypocrisy of the West has been exposed, as it flays India for protecting its energy interests, but at the same time, continues to trade with Moscow, Times of India quoted government sources as saying. It has also been established that the EU has been sourcing not just energy, but also fertilisers, chemicals, iron, steel, and transport equipment from Russia.
What the report found
The report from the Finland-based independent think tank says that till now, Russia has earned €923 billion (92,300 crore) from fossil fuel exports such as oil, natural gas, coal, refined fuels and intermediaries. Out of this, €212 billion (₹21,200 crore) came from nations of EU, while India accounted for €121 billion (₹12,100 crore). China was the biggest buyer of Russian energy. Beijing's purchases crossed €200 billion (₹20,000 crore).
The thinktank's report also underlines the increasing role of G7+ tankers in transporting Russian oil, particularly after the EU’s new sanctions took effect in June. It indicates that the G7+ share in Russian oil shipments went up from 36% in January to 56%. In June alone, over half of Russia’s seaborne oil exports were carried by G7+ tankers — a six-percentage-point rise from May. As many as 56 UK-sanctioned tankers have continued operations, delivering 20 mn tonnes of Russian crude—worth approximately GBP 7.3 bn — after being sanctioned, up to the end of May 2025, the report found.
The use of Western tanker fleets shows that these shipments adhered with the price cap and other sanction-related terms and conditions. The Indian officials contend that their oil purchases from Russia have gone a long way in stabilising global energy markets.
Russian oil makes up around 9% of the world’s daily supply. India maintains that its continued imports from Moscow have helped keep prices stable. This is why the US and EU chose a price cap rather than a full ban — to slash Russia’s war funds without causing disruptions in the global oil markets.