India Rejects UK Sanctions, Says ‘No Double Standards’ On Energy Trade | World News
India flatly rejected the UK’s decision to impose sanctions on the Indian refiner; The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the other hand, claimed that New Delhi does not recognize unilateral sanctions and prioritizes the energy security of its citizens over Western pressure campaigns targeting Russian oil trade.
The pushback comes after Britain announced sanctions on 90 entities, including Nayara Energy, as part of its latest efforts to restrict Russian revenue streams funding the war in Ukraine. This move by the British government puts India in an uncomfortable situation; It is caught between demands from its Western allies to comply with sanctions and Russia’s own energy security imperatives, which have led to increased oil purchases.
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#WRISTWATCH | Delhi | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have noted the recent sanctions announced by the UK… We do not participate in any unilateral sanctions. The Government of India sees ensuring energy security as a responsibility of great importance that must be fulfilled… pic.twitter.com/Ld5xWTbTEg — ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2025
What Do UK Sanctions Aim?
The UK’s latest sanctions package targets 90 organizations and entities that British officials allege facilitate Moscow’s oil trade, thereby generating revenue to fund Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. The sanctions represent a coordinated effort with Western allies to weaken President Vladimir Putin’s finances through economic pressure.
Sanctioned entities include four oil terminals in China, 44 tankers in what Western governments call the “shadow fleet” (ships that transport Russian crude outside normal commercial channels) and India’s Nayara Energy Limited.
Nayara Energy imported nearly 100 million barrels of Russian oil worth over $5 billion in 2024 alone, according to the British government, making it one of the largest buyers of Russian crude among private refiners worldwide.
Nayara Energy Condemns Sanctions
Nayara Energy, which owns India’s second-largest private refinery in Vadinar, Gujarat, has been grilled by Western countries for buying Russian crude. Nayara, which is partly owned by Russian company Rosneft, denies violating or bypassing any sanctions.
Timing of Sanctions
The timing of the UK sanctions is also significant, coming just days after Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Mumbai with a trade delegation. Earlier, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK on July 24, the two countries had signed a major free trade agreement, marking a high point in bilateral relations.
