Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, has dramatically increased its share of Russian crude at the Jamnagar refinery—from just 3% in 2021 to about 50% in 2025. The first seven months of 2025 saw imports of 18.3 million tonnes valued at $8.7 billion . Despite the $60 price cap on Russian oil intended to curb Kremlin revenues, weak enforcement and the use of a “shadow fleet” have diluted its impact . Since February 2023, Jamnagar has exported $85.9 billion worth of refined products, with an estimated 42% of those exports ($36 billion) heading to countries sanctioning Russia, including €17 billion to the EU and $6.3 billion to the U.S. (of which $2.3 billion derived from Russian crude). (PC: AP)  

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has accused India of acting as a “laundromat” for Russian oil, claiming Indian refiners profit from processing Moscow’s crude while fueling the Ukraine war. He dismissed India’s energy needs as “nonsense” and warned of a 50% tariff hike on August 27. Navarro criticized India’s trade practices, calling its tariffs “Maharaja-level,” and urged New Delhi to reconsider its role in global peace. Despite praising PM Modi’s leadership, he stressed that India’s actions perpetuate conflict. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar countered, noting the U.S. had encouraged India’s Russian oil purchases to stabilize global markets. (PC: Reuters & NDTV)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Moscow on August 21, 2025, meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He pushed back strongly against recently imposed U.S. tariffs—up to 50% on Indian goods tied to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil—questioning the fairness of Washington’s criticism. Russia emphasized expanding energy cooperation, including new extraction projects in the Far East and Arctic regions, and committed to continued oil supply to India. Jaishankar underlined the resilience of India-Russia ties, promising to boost Indian exports in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and textiles while addressing trade imbalances. 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday. The visit comes after the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods and criticised India’s purchase of Russian oil. Earlier, Jaishankar also met Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and said India and Russia will expand trade in a “balanced and sustainable” way. He defended India’s oil imports, saying India is not the largest buyer and that the US itself had encouraged such purchases to stabilise markets. Jaishankar added that India also buys oil from America and called US criticism “perplexing.” (PC: News18)

China has come out in support of India after the US imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods. Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said the US was acting like a “bully” and warned that silence would only make it stronger. He stressed that China firmly opposed the tariffs and would stand by India. Xu also said China would welcome more Indian goods, especially in IT, software, and biomedicine. He urged India to give Chinese businesses a fair market in return. The US tariffs, which include penalties for buying Russian oil, will take effect on August 27. (PC: India Today)

Bhanu Attri, a 39-year-old from Himachal Pradesh, has become the first Hindu and non-Christian chaplain in the British Royal Navy. Attri grew up in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, before moving to the UK, where he served as a Hindu priest in London. He completed tough naval training, including survival exercises and time aboard HMS Iron Duke, before graduating from Britannia Royal Naval College. As a chaplain, he will provide spiritual support and conduct Hindu prayers for personnel. His appointment has been welcomed by the Hindu Council UK and praised by Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu as a proud moment for India. (PC: X)

Cindy Rodriguez Singh, 40, one of the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives,” has been arrested in India for the murder of her 6-year-old son, Noel. Singh fled the US in March 2023 with her husband and six children, leaving Noel behind. She later lied that he was in Mexico. Interpol issued a Red Notice in 2024, and the FBI placed her on its list, offering a $250,000 reward. Singh was captured with help from Indian authorities and brought back to the US. She faces charges of capital murder and unlawful flight. The FBI said “justice has no borders.” (PC: NDTV)

Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has urged President Trump to rapidly repair the strained relations with India, cautioning that losing such a key democratic ally would mark a “strategic disaster.” Writing in Newsweek, she emphasized India’s critical importance as a counterbalance to China, particularly in supply chain diversification. Haley highlighted that while China—as a Communist state—faces fewer trade barriers, India, a democratic partner, is being penalized with tariffs. She underscored that undermining 25 years of U.S.–India strategic momentum would not just be unwise—it would severely damage American credibility in Asia. (PC: X)

India’s state-run refiners—Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL)—have restarted buying Russian crude for September and October cargoes, following a pause in July. The decision was prompted by steeper discounts on Russia’s Urals grade—roughly $3 per barrel—making imports economically compelling despite political scrutiny from Washington. Previously, both firms halted Russian oil purchases amid U.S. criticism and looming tariff threats. Besides Urals, IOC has secured other grades like Varandey and Siberian Light. The companies emphasized that procurement decisions remain grounded in economic rationale.

India has dismissed Nepal’s protest against the reopening of border trade through the Lipulekh Pass, which India and China agreed to revive as part of renewed proximity following COVID disruptions . The Ministry of External Affairs called Nepal’s territorial claims “unjustified,” “untenable,” and “not based on historical facts” . India reaffirmed that trade via the pass has existed since 1954 and maintained its position has been “consistent and clear” . Nonetheless, New Delhi expressed openness to “constructive interaction” with Nepal to address outstanding boundary issues through diplomacy. (PC: PTI)