Rishi Sunak Backs India’s Right to Act in National Interest Amid US Tariffs
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has stated that every country has the right to make decisions in its own national interest, responding to the recent U.S. tariffs imposed on Indian imports. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025, Sunak emphasized the importance of building trust-based global relationships rather than transactional ones.
He said, “Every nation will act in its national interest, and that is completely justified.” Criticizing transactional diplomacy, Sunak added that such short-term dealings rarely produce meaningful outcomes. He shared that during his time in office, mutual trust helped resolve complex issues with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen post-Brexit.
Recently, the U.S. administration, led by President Donald Trump, imposed tariffs as high as 50% on Indian imports, including an additional 25% duty on products linked to India’s oil and gas purchases from Russia. The U.S. claims these purchases indirectly help finance Russia's war in Ukraine.
Sunak, however, pointed to a shifting global order. “The world I grew up in no longer exists,” he said. “We are living in a multipolar era where nations focus on their own capabilities and priorities.”
India has firmly defended its energy procurement strategy, asserting that decisions are driven by market dynamics and national security needs. The Indian government maintains that affordable and reliable energy is a right for its citizens, and oil imports from Russia help fulfill that need in a cost-effective way.
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