India's Ministry of External Affairs today accused the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) of hypocrisy, reacting to the retaliation announced for purchases of Russian oil and promised to respond to protect the country's interests.
"Targeting India is unjustified and irrational," said Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal, adding that,"like all major economies, India will take necessary measures to protect its national interests and economic security."
The Indian government also accused the US and the EU of hypocrisy for maintaining significant trade with Russia while "punishing" New Delhi for its imports of Russian oil.
Indian authorities also recalled that the purchase of Russian energy was even encouraged in the past by Washington.
These statements came just hours after Trump announced a tariff increase on imports of Indian goods, in retaliation for New Delhi's continued purchase of"large quantities" of Russian oil.
"As a result, I will substantially increase the tariffs that India pays to the United States," Donald Trump promised in a message on his Truth Social network, without clarifying the exact amount of the tariff.