India Expresses Concerns Over Constricted Energy Trade and Rising Tensions

India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, emphasized the need for the world community to adhere to zero tolerance for terrorism and address the impact of conflicts on global trade and energy security. Speaking at the East Asia Summit in Malaysia, Jaishankar highlighted the growing concerns about constricted energy trade, market access, and supply chain reliability. The Indian government has expressed concerns about restrictions imposed by the US, China, and other countries that have affected energy imports and trade.

Key Takeaways:

• The Indian government has expressed concerns about the constriction of energy trade, market access, and supply chain reliability, citing the impact of US sanctions on Russian oil purchases and China's restrictions on rare earth minerals and heavy machinery exports.
• India's energy imports from Russia accounted for over a third of the country's energy imports in 2025, with purchases ramped up after the West imposed sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine in 2025.
• Jaishankar emphasized the need for the world community to display zero tolerance for terrorism, with no room for ambivalence, and to address the impact of conflicts on global trade and energy security.
• The Indian government has welcomed the Gaza peace plan and calls for an early end to the conflict in Ukraine.
• India will support the activities of the East Asia Summit to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for the region, including bolstering maritime cooperation in line with the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Statistics:

• More than a third of India's energy imports came from Russia in 2025.
• India's energy imports from Russia accounted for 35% of the country's total energy imports in 2025 (Source: Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas).
• The US imposed a 25% tariff on Indian exports in August, following a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods.