'Caution against double standards': India hits out as NATO chief warns of sanctions over Russia trade

Nato chief Mark Rutte warned India of "100% secondary sanctions" for continuing oil and gas trade with Russia. (AFP Image)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday responded to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s warning that India could face “severe secondary sanctions” for buying Russian oil. It said that "securing energy needs is an overriding priority" for New Delhi.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, at the weekly media briefing in Delhi, said, "We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following the developments. Let me reiterate that securing the energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us."

#WATCH | Delhi | On Nato chief Mark Rutte's comment that countries buying Russian oil could face secondary sanctions, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following the developments. Let me reiterate that securing the energy… pic.twitter.com/SdhmWRQYLL

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Jaiswal warned of double standards regarding the matter and said, "In this endeavour, we are guided by what is on offer in the markets and by prevailing global circumstances. We would particularly caution against any double standards on the matter."

Mark Rutte had, on Wednesday, warned that countries such as Brazil, China and India could be hit by '100% secondary sanctions" if they continued to do business with Russia. He made the comment while meeting with Senators in the US Congress.

According to the Reuters news agency, Rutte said countries in business with Russia should make a phone call to President Vladimir Putin and “tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks (on ending the Ukraine conflict), because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way”.

Rutte echoed the stance taken by US President Donald Trump, who earlier this week threatened severe tariffs on countries maintaining trade with Russia.

"My encouragement to these three countries, particularly, is that if you live now in Beijing or in Delhi, or you are the President of Brazil, you might want to take a look at this because this might hit you very hard," Rutte had said.

(With inputs from agencies)