Indian companies will continue sourcing oil from wherever they receive the “best deal,” India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, stated in an interview with Russian state-run agency TASS.
In the interaction, Kumar said that India’s energy decisions are guided by its national interest and the need to ensure energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens.
What was the remark?
His remarks came amid mounting criticism from the United States over India’s ongoing purchase of discounted Russian crude oil, criticism that New Delhi has repeatedly pushed back against. “Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. Our objective is the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,” he added.
“India will continue to take steps that protect its national interest.” The Trump administration recently announced a sharp increase in tariffs on Indian goods, raising them to 50% overall, with a 25% hike specifically targeting India’s continued imports of Russian oil.
‘RIP H-1B folks’
Many netizens on social media have now come up with a fresh argument that if India continues to buy Russian oil, the H-1B programme should be scrapped. According to US government data, 191,000 H-1B visas were issued to Indian professionals during the fiscal year 2023. In FY 2024, that figure increased to roughly 207,000. Given that Indian nationals regularly obtain over 70% of these visas, mostly for software, IT consulting, and engineering positions, the programme is especially important for India’s tech workforce.
A user wrote on TeamBlind, “100 random H1bs revoked every day that they buy Russian oil.” Another noted, “I honestly believe the geo-politics tension btw US-India is going to be superr bad for H1Bs.” “I like how India is openly disrespecting the Orange Clown. Started buying more Russian oil and called the orange clown a liar over the ceasefire claim. All those while H1-Bs are earning millions in the USA and MAGA idiots are being fired by the orange clown from their govt jobs. Love the circus!!,” wrote a netizen.
“Time for a 100% remittance tax and to end all H1B visas,” claimed another. “Cool let’s investigate all their H1-B applications then,” added a user.
(This story is based on a post shared by a social media user. The details, opinions, and statements quoted herein belong solely to the original poster and do not reflect the views of Financialexpress.com. We have not independently verified the claims.)