Poland has voiced support for India amid its escalating standoff with the United States over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian crude, even as Washington has threatened steep tariffs, including punitive duties that could reach 500 per cent.
Speaking in Paris after India’s first engagement with the Weimar Triangle on Wednesday, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski expressed satisfaction that India had begun reducing its Russian oil imports.
“I expressed my satisfaction that India has reduced Russian oil imports because this is fuelling Putin’s war machine,” Sikorski said, standing alongside India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other European leaders. He added, “We can discuss it further when I travel to India next week.”
Tensions with Washington
Sikorski’s comments came amid increasingly frosty ties between New Delhi and Washington. US President Donald Trump has previously imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports and has greenlit legislation that could allow the US to levy tariffs of up to 500 per cent on countries that “knowingly purchase” Russian oil or uranium.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Trump had approved the bill after a “productive” meeting, with a vote possible as early as next week. Trump had earlier imposed a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, alongside an additional 25 per cent penalty tied to India’s Russian oil purchases, pushing total duties on some products to 50 per cent. The President also warned that tariffs could rise “very quickly,” telling reporters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “knew I was not happy.”
Jaishankar’s European visit
Against this backdrop, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of strengthening India’s ties with Europe. “What kind of world do we want to live in? What would be the norms and related issues?” he asked, stressing Europe’s role in global politics and the need for deeper engagement.
Jaishankar participated in India’s inaugural Weimar Triangle engagement, holding discussions with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, German representatives, and Sikorski of Poland. The Weimar Triangle, formed in 1991 by France, Germany, and Poland, aims to promote European integration, political dialogue, security cooperation—especially regarding Russia and Ukraine—and cultural and economic ties.
He described the talks as short but candid, covering India–EU relations, the Indo-Pacific, and the war in Ukraine. Jaishankar called India–EU ties the country’s “greatest unrealised potential.” In the coming weeks, India will host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and senior EU leaders, highlighting New Delhi’s efforts to balance global partnerships amid mounting pressure from Washington.
India recalibrates energy strategy
The diplomatic push coincides with India adjusting its energy approach. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, India’s monthly imports of Russian crude remained high through 2025, with Russia’s share ranging between 27 per cent and nearly 39 per cent until November. Imports peaked at 7.7 million tonnes that month, accounting for 34 per cent of India’s crude intake. However, Russia’s share has since fallen below 25 per cent and may dip further this month.
Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air shows India’s daily purchases of Russian oil from non-sanctioned suppliers dropped to about 72.9 million euros in early January, down from 130.5 million euros in late November and a peak of 189 million euros in July 2023. Several refiners—including Reliance Industries, HPCL, and MRPL—have paused Russian oil imports following new US sanctions, while others continue sourcing from non-sanctioned entities.
Even so, India remains one of Russia’s largest oil buyers, importing an estimated 144 billion euros’ worth of crude since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022, highlighting the delicate balance New Delhi is trying to maintain amid global economic and geopolitical pressures.