India rejects EU’s unilateral sanctions on Gujarat-based refinery
New Delhi, Jul 19: India has firmly pushed back against the latest round of European Union sanctions that target a Gujarat-based refinery partly owned by Russian energy major Rosneft, calling the move a unilateral measure it does not recognise. Responding to media queries on the issue, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We have noted the latest sanctions announced by the European Union. India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures. We are a responsible actor and remain fully committed to our legal obligations.”
The EU on Friday unveiled a new sanctions package aimed at tightening restrictions on Russia’s energy sector amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Among the newly designated entities is Nayara Energy’s 20-million-tonne-per-year refinery located in Vadinar, Gujarat. The company, in which Rosneft holds a 49.13% stake, has come under scrutiny for its imports of Russian crude and subsequent exports of refined petroleum products. The EU sanctions effectively bar Nayara from exporting refined products such as petrol and diesel to European markets.
Jaiswal reiterated India’s stance on energy access, saying, “The Government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens. We would stress that there should be no double standards, especially when it comes to energy trade.” The sanctions come amid growing global debate over enforcement of the G7-led oil price cap regime. The EU has announced a reduction in the cap from $60 to $47.6 per barrel for Russian crude transported using Western shipping and insurance. Additionally, the bloc has implemented an EU-wide ban on refined petroleum products made from Russian crude and imposed a full transaction ban on Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines.
On social media, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that the sanctions included “a flag registry and the biggest Rosneft refinery in India” as part of a broader attempt to curtail Russian revenues from energy exports. India has repeatedly underscored that its energy purchases are governed by national interest and are conducted within the framework of international law. Meanwhile, in Washington, US lawmakers are debating further measures to penalise third countries, including India, China, and Brazil, that continue purchasing Russian oil, adding another layer of geopolitical complexity to the issue.
