Pretended to be an oil issue, Jaishankar criticizes US penalties on India for its trade with Russia while stating that talks are still ongoing.

S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, criticized the US government for levying more duties on India because of the nation's decision to engage in commerce with Russia. He referred to the action as "unjustified and unreasonable," and he questioned why China, the "biggest importer" of Russian oil, did not receive comparable justifications.Jaishankar made the argument that the tariff issue was being misrepresented as a "oil dispute" during his speech at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025."There are (other) large buyers if oil is the point of contention. "There are bigger traders if the dispute is about who is trading more (with Russia)," he stated. He noted that trade between Russia and Europe is larger than that between India and Russia.The EAM further explained that although trade talks with Washington are still ongoing, New Delhi must defend certain positions.

At the ET event, he stated, "We have some redlines in the negotiations, to be maintained and defended." Due to Washington's increased imports of Russian energy, Indian commodities are subject to additional US tariffs of up to 50%, which are among the highest. A 25% tax is already in place, and the remaining 25% will be applied starting on August 27.S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, stated on Saturday that US President Donald Trump conducts his foreign policy, particularly trade issues, in a very public manner. The Union minister said that until Trump's announcement, which increased tariffs on India to 50%, there had been no discussion about India purchasing Russian oil.

The EAM emphasized during their speech at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025 that Trump often conducts his foreign policy in a more visible manner."The current US president has conducted foreign policy in a more public manner than any previous one. Jaishankar stated, "That in and of itself is a departure that is not limited to India." There has never been a US president that handles internal affairs as openly as Trump, the EAM continued. "President Trump's way of dealing with the world, even dealing with his own country, is a very major departure from the traditional orthodox manner of doing so," he stated. The minister went on to say that Trump's use of tariffs for both trade and non-trade issues is new. The EAM went on to say that the Trump administration frequently makes its initial announcement in public before addressing the relevant party.