India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday firmly responded to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s recent warning about possible secondary sanctions for countries continuing oil trade with Russia. Emphasizing national interest, the MEA said that meeting India’s energy needs remains an “overriding priority,” guided by market availability and prevailing global conditions.

India Asserts Sovereignty Over Energy Decisions

At a press briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are aware of the recent reports and are closely following developments. I reiterate what we have said before—ensuring the energy needs of our people is a top priority. Our choices are driven by what is available in global markets and the existing international scenario.”

In a pointed message, he added, “We particularly caution against any double standards on the matter.”

NATO Chief’s Sanctions Warning

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently urged India, China, and Brazil to reconsider their ongoing oil purchases from Russia, warning of “100% secondary sanctions” if they failed to do so. Echoing sentiments shared by former US President Donald Trump, Rutte said countries maintaining trade with Russia “might want to take a look at this” or face severe economic consequences.

He further appealed to leaders of India, Brazil, and China to personally intervene by urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage seriously in peace talks with Ukraine. “Otherwise, this will slam back on Brazil, India, and China in a massive way,” Rutte warned.

US Lawmakers Push for Sanctions

Meanwhile, US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal have proposed the “Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025,” which would impose harsh tariffs—up to 500%—on any nation aiding Russia economically. They accused countries purchasing Russian oil, including India, of supporting Putin’s military campaign indirectly.

India’s Oil Strategy: Diversification and Expansion

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also weighed in on the issue earlier in the day, stating that India has significantly diversified its oil imports, reducing over-dependence on any single country.

“India now imports oil from 40 countries, up from 27 earlier,” Puri noted. “With 16% of global oil demand growth coming from India—and possibly rising to 25%—we are confident about managing future energy requirements even if Russian supplies are disrupted.”

India-EU Free Trade Agreement on Track

Separately, when asked about ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with the European Union, Jaiswal said discussions are progressing well. The 12th round of negotiations was held in Brussels from July 7–11, and the next round is set for September in New Delhi.

“Both sides are committed to concluding the India-EU FTA this year, as reaffirmed during the visit of the EU College of Commissioners in February and during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Croatia in June,” Jaiswal added.