Russian Oil: India and China's Responses to Trump

US President Donald Trump's statement that India has promised to stop buying Russian oil and that China should do the same has provoked a mixed reaction from the two major Asian powers. However, while Delhi gave a restrained and diplomatic response, Beijing issued a harsh rebuttal, unequivocally rejecting Washington's pressure.

In response to Donald Trump's words, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that their priority is to protect the interests of the Indian consumer. "This includes expanding and diversifying our energy sources in line with market conditions," the statement said.

The Indian MEA neither confirmed nor denied Trump's statement about Modi's promise but noted that the current US administration has "shown interest" in deepening energy cooperation with India and that "discussions are ongoing." Thus, Delhi avoided direct confrontation while making it clear that its decisions will be based on national interests and market realities, rather than external pressure.

In contrast to India, China's response was direct and harsh. The Chinese Embassy in the US stated that Beijing firmly rejects all forms of illegal unilateral sanctions. "China steadfastly refutes the expansion of jurisdiction and any form of coercion and pressure," the statement said. The embassy stressed that interaction between members of the international community within the framework of the law is "reasonable and legitimate, does not harm the interests of third parties, and therefore should be respected and protected." In effect, China has made it clear that its trade relations, including with Russia, are its sovereign right and are not subject to discussion by third countries.