Govt Won't React to US Executive Order on Russian Oil, Foreign Secretary Tells Parliametary Panel

New Delhi: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Tuesday (February 10) that the Union government had chosen not to react to the US executive order explicitly linking tariff concessions to India ending Russian oil purchases. While briefing the panel, he reportedly faced tough questions on India's stand on the issue in the backdrop of the recent statements from Washington.

Misri did not give a clear answer on whether India had formally committed to the US to stop importing Russian oil, reiterating that India’s decisions would continue to be guided by national interest. Notably, Union industries and commerce minister Piyush Goyal also evaded questions on the issue on Saturday (February 7) saying, "MEA will be able to give this information.”

Also read: White House Reiterates India’s Commitment to Stop Purchasing Russian Oil

The foreign secretary only told the panel that India was sticking strictly to the details contained in the India-US trade agreement instead of reacting to the executive order issued by US President Donald Trump on Friday (February 6) which has placed India under fresh scrutiny over its crude oil imports with Russia. The directive states that India has agreed to stop direct and indirect imports of Russian oil, with Washington setting up a monitoring structure to track compliance.

The Shashi Tharoor-led Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs held a three‑and‑a‑half‑hour meeting to review the recent trade agreements signed with the US and the European Union, amid concerns over their impact on the agriculture, textile and energy sectors.

Also read: The US-India Trade 'Deal' Is Unbalanced and Potentially Devastating

Misri said the trade agreement with the US was the best possible outcome that the country could have secured considering the “shifted global paradigm”. Further, he told the MPs that farmers’ interests would be protected and would not be compromised under the deal.

When asked about the US's expectation that India will buy $500 billion worth of American goods over the next five years, the foreign secretary mentioned that this was not “binding”, and it was only an expression of intent.

Misri didn't specify a timeline for when the India-EU trade deal would come into effect, raising concern among members.

The committee also sought clarity on how US trade concessions to Bangladesh would harm Indian cotton farmers, noting that Bangladesh is a major importer of Indian cotton and that the US could displace India as a supplier under their revised trade arrangements.

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