Nations Criticising Us are Doing Trade with Russia: India in Reply to Trump’s Threat
In a sharp response to US President Donald Trump’s threat to raise tariffs on India, the Indian government has hit back, highlighting the hypocrisy of nations criticising India’s trade relations with Russia. The Indian government has maintained that its imports from Russia are essential to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs for the Indian consumer.
The development comes as a result of a tweet by the US President, where he threatened to raise tariffs on India, citing the country’s trade deficit with the US. In response, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took to Twitter to defend India’s position, pointing out that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia.
The MEA tweeted, “The very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion. India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. #IndiaRising”
The tweet was accompanied by a photo of a graph showing the increasing trade deficit between the US and India, which has been a point of contention in recent times. The graph also highlights the fact that India’s imports from Russia are a small fraction of its overall trade with the country.
The MEA’s response is seen as a strong rebuke to the US President’s threat, and a reflection of India’s growing confidence in its economic policies. The Indian government has long maintained that its imports from Russia are essential to ensure energy security for the country, and that the trade deficit with the US is a result of several factors, including the widening trade gap between the two countries.
In recent times, India has been diversifying its energy sources to reduce its dependence on oil imports from the Middle East. Russia has been a key partner in this endeavour, with the country supplying India with crude oil, natural gas, and other energy products.
The MEA’s response is also seen as a message to other nations that are critical of India’s economic policies. The Indian government has long maintained that it will not be swayed by external pressures, and will continue to pursue its economic policies in the best interests of the country.
In recent years, India has been facing criticism from several quarters, including the US, over its trade policies. The US has been pressing India to reduce its trade deficit with the country, and to open up its markets to more American goods and services. However, India has maintained that its economic policies are designed to promote domestic growth and development, and that the country will not compromise on its sovereignty.
The MEA’s response is also seen as a reflection of India’s growing diplomatic clout in the world. The country has been strengthening its ties with several nations, including Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia, and has been playing a more active role in international affairs.
In conclusion, the MEA’s response to the US President’s threat is a strong reflection of India’s growing confidence in its economic policies. The country’s imports from Russia are essential to ensure energy security, and India will not compromise on its sovereignty to appease external pressures. As the Indian economy continues to grow and diversify, the country is likely to play an increasingly important role in global affairs.
Source: https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1952412858567844061/photo/1
