NEW DELHI, India: At a press conference in New Delhi on August 20, Russia's Ambassador to India, Roman Babushkin, firmly declared that Moscow would continue supplying oil to India despite mounting pressure from Washington.

His remarks came as the United States threatened punitive sanctions of up to 50 percent on Indian imports, a move linked to India's continued purchases of Russian crude.

Babushkin also announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit New Delhi before the end of the year for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though exact dates have yet to be finalized.

Accusing Washington of using sanctions as a tool of coercion, Babushkin said, "The US has weaponized the economy. Friends do not impose sanctions. Russia will never impose sanctions."

He stressed that Moscow respects India's ties with the West, noting, "We are non-West, not anti-West. India and Russia have always found ways to cooperate in difficult times."

Regarding trade, the envoy said Russia is working to address the imbalance in bilateral commerce by reducing barriers to Indian exports. He identified machinery, pharmaceuticals, tea, and rice as key areas where India could expand its footprint in Russian markets. Moscow and New Delhi, he added, remain committed to achieving US$100 billion in annual trade by 2030. "If Indian goods are facing barriers in other countries, Russian markets will welcome them," he said.

Energy remains central to the partnership. Russia continues to be one of India's largest suppliers of crude oil and fertilizers. Babushkin emphasized that Moscow has created a "very, very special mechanism" to ensure oil flows remain steady. "India's crude oil imports from Russia will remain at the same level," he assured.

The U.S., however, is set to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian exports beginning August 28, citing New Delhi's growing reliance on Russian oil following Western sanctions imposed after the Ukraine invasion. Critics note that Washington has not levied similar penalties on China, despite Beijing's significant purchases of Russian crude.

Complicating matters further, the European Union last month sanctioned Nayara Energy, a Russian-backed Indian refinery. This prompted the company to scale back operations and forced trading partners to curtail their dealings.

Despite these pressures, Evgeniy Griva, Russia's deputy trade representative in India, said bilateral trade is expected to grow by around 10 percent annually, underscoring the partnership's resilience.