By Emeka Blast 
India Dismisses EU Sanctions on Refinery, Cites Energy Security and Sovereignty
India has firmly rejected the European Union’s (EU) latest sanctions targeting Nayara Energy’s Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, where Russian energy giant Rosneft holds a 49.13% stake, declaring that it does not recognize unilateral sanctions imposed outside the United Nations framework. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong statement on Friday, emphasizing that energy security for India’s 1.4 billion citizens is a “responsibility of paramount importance” and called out the EU for “double standards” in energy trade policies.
The EU’s 18th sanctions package, announced on July 18, aims to curb Russia’s oil revenues amid its ongoing war in Ukraine. It includes a lower oil price cap from $60 to $47.6 per barrel, measures against 105 shadow fleet vessels, and, for the first time, sanctions on an Indian-based refinery. The Vadinar facility, with a capacity of 20 million tonnes per year, faces restrictions on exporting refined products like diesel and petrol to European markets. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called it “one of the strongest sanctions packages against Russia to date,” targeting Moscow’s war funding.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded, “India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures. We are a responsible actor and remain fully committed to our legal obligations. The government considers energy security a critical priority to meet the basic needs of its citizens. We stress that there should be no double standards, especially in energy trade.” India’s stance reflects its reliance on Russian crude, which accounts for nearly 40% of its oil imports, a shift driven by discounted prices since the Ukraine conflict began.
The sanctions have sparked debate, with industry experts noting potential banking and technical challenges for Nayara Energy, though enforcement may be difficult as Indian refiners often use trading intermediaries. Some analysts, like former Hindustan Petroleum chairman MK Surana, suggest the lower price cap could benefit India by making Russian oil cheaper. Meanwhile, X posts reflect public support for India’s position, with users like @SoodSaab11 praising New Delhi’s focus on national interests and @OsintUpdates highlighting the prioritization of energy security.
The rebuke follows India’s earlier dismissal of NATO chief Mark Rutte’s warnings of secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil. With European nations still importing Russian gas until 2027, India’s call for consistency in energy policies has resonated, underscoring its sovereignty in navigating global energy markets.
