RSS Wing Urges India to Resist US Tariffs on Russian Oil, Calls for Boycott

The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), an economic organization linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has urged the Indian government to resist US legislation that proposes tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil. The SJM also called for a boycott of American companies.

What Happened

The US Senate approved legislation authorizing President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on nations making substantial purchases of Russian oil. India was identified as one of five potential target economies under this bill. The SJM criticized this move, viewing it as an attempt at economic coercion that threatens free trade principles and India's sovereign right to determine its energy policies.

Key Facts

• The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) is the economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
• US Senate legislation authorizes President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing significant amounts of Russian oil.
• India was named as one of five target economies by the bill's sponsors.
• The US Senate approved the bill by a vote of 86 to 11.
• The SJM called for a boycott of US companies and urged the Indian government to impose a unilateral ban on US tech and social media firms.
• Ashwani Mahajan, SJM national co-convener, stated that India's sovereign right to purchase energy cannot be dictated by third countries.
• Mahajan cited energy security, availability, price, supply diversification, and consumer interests as reasons for India's crude oil purchases from Russia.
• The SJM expressed concern over the use of tariffs as an instrument of foreign policy.

Background

India has previously faced threats of tariffs from the US, which the SJM has labeled variously as reciprocal, national security, Section 301, Section 232, punitive, trade deficit, and forced labor tariffs. The SJM views the current situation as a continuation of these pressures. India's oil purchases from Russia have increased since the Iran-US conflict. The SJM perceives the Russia-Ukraine war as a geopolitical power struggle and believes sanctions on Russian oil are a tactic to advance specific agendas.