India will continue to buy oil from wherever it “gets the best deal” in order to protect the interests of its 1.4 billion people, the country’s ambassador to Russia has said.

Vinay Kumar’s statement comes days before Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on India, including a 25% penalty for buying Russian oil and weapons, are set to kick in.

Russian crude made up 35-40% of India’s oil imports in 2024, up from 3% in 2021.

  • dukemirage@lemmy.world
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    9 hours ago

    Can’t blame them. The West will also buy controversial resources and goods from whereever we get the best deal. Morals are only questioned in Russia’s case because we are directly threatened by their military, but we really can’t give a fuck about the Uyghurs in China, or civil wars over rare metals, burned down primeval forest, child labour, etc.

    • Photonic@lemmy.world
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      8 hours ago

      Whataboutism is never an argument.

      Yes blame India. Also blame everyone else for their heinous actions.

      • NoiseColor @lemmy.world
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        8 hours ago

        It’s also a matter of local politics. You can’t show you can be bullied. It’s understandable. I think it’s important for Modi to show he’s the man, but he will do what’s right when the time comes.