India must resist external pressure and continue purchasing discounted oil from Russia, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). In a statement on Thursday, the independent economic think tank asserted that India’s strategy of buying Russian crude has been instrumental in maintaining macroeconomic stability and controlling inflation amid global disruptions.
Ajay Srivastava, founder of GTRI, emphasised the significance of this energy strategy. “Buying discounted Russian oil has helped India manage inflation and maintain economic stability in a volatile global environment,” he said, urging the Indian government to stay the course and not yield to US demands.
His remarks follow recent media reports suggesting that former US President Donald Trump may impose a 100 percent tariff on countries continuing to import Russian oil. Srivastava warned that altering India’s energy policy in response to such threats would be counterproductive. “Altering that policy will not stop US threats and it will only invite more,” he noted, highlighting Trump’s history of issuing tariff threats for a range of geopolitical and economic reasons.
Srivastava further argued that appeasing such demands would offer no long-term assurance. “Even a trade deal with Washington won’t guarantee protection, as Trump could shift the goalposts later,” he said, referencing the unpredictability of US trade policy under previous leadership.
GTRI’s position reflects a broader view within Indian policy circles that strategic autonomy, particularly in critical sectors like energy, must be upheld. The organisation’s stance supports the belief that India’s energy decisions should prioritise national interest and resilience, regardless of shifting international pressures.
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