Poland has expressed support for India amid growing tensions with the United States over New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil, stating that it is “satisfied” with India’s reduction of imports from Moscow. The remarks came during India’s first-ever engagement in the Weimar Triangle format, held in Paris, where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated alongside French, German, and Polish counterparts.

Poland’s Position

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski welcomed India’s cutback in Russian oil imports, noting that the reduction helps curb funding to Moscow amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. “I expressed my satisfaction that India has reduced Russian oil imports because this is fuelling Putin’s war machine,” Sikorski said. He also indicated that discussions on the matter could continue during his upcoming visit to India.

The Weimar Triangle, formed in 1991 by France, Germany, and Poland, is a platform for promoting European integration, political dialogue, security cooperation—especially regarding Russia and Ukraine—and economic and cultural ties. India’s engagement marked a significant milestone in diplomatic relations, as it was the first time New Delhi participated in this multilateral forum.

India-US Strain Over Russian Oil

The India-US relationship has faced increasing strain over India’s energy ties with Russia. Former US President Donald Trump has previously imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods and has now greenlit legislation that could allow the US to levy punitive duties of up to 500 per cent on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil or uranium.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed that Trump had approved the bipartisan bill after a “productive” meeting, with a congressional vote possible in the coming week. Trump has reiterated his dissatisfaction, warning that tariffs on Indian goods could be raised “very quickly,” noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “knew I was not happy.”

Prior to these renewed threats, Trump had already imposed a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian products, along with an additional 25 per cent penalty linked to India’s Russian oil imports, effectively bringing total duties on some goods to 50 per cent.

India’s Diplomacy and Outlook

By participating in the Weimar Triangle dialogue, India reinforced its position on maintaining strategic autonomy in energy procurement while deepening ties with European partners. The engagement provided a platform for discussions not only on the Russian oil issue but also on broader geopolitical challenges, including security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, trade, and technology cooperation.

Poland’s public backing signals support within Europe for India’s measured approach to its energy needs, offering a counterbalance to escalating pressure from Washington. As tensions over Russian oil continue to shape India-US relations, New Delhi appears determined to pursue a nuanced diplomatic path, leveraging global partnerships to protect its economic and strategic interests.