Donald Trump has once again demonstrated that international diplomacy, under his leadership, can sometimes resemble a supermarket where the rules change depending on who is holding the shopping basket.
For months, India has faced the prospect of punitive American tariffs for purchasing Russian oil. Washington has argued that buying Russian energy helps finance Moscow’s war against Ukraine. India, meanwhile, has maintained that its energy purchases are driven by national interests, affordability and the need to secure supplies for its enormous population.
Fair enough. But now comes the plot twist worthy of a Bollywood comedy. On October 9, 2026, Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin under which Russia would release millions of tonnes of diesel into American and global markets. The initial supply will be around 3,00,000 tonnes, followed by additional shipments. The US Treasury also announced a temporary easing of sanctions to facilitate Russian diesel supplies.
Hold on, wait a minute Trump. Did we miss a chapter? Is buying Russian oil kosher now?
When India buys Russian oil, it becomes a matter of international morality. When America arranges to receive Russian diesel, suddenly it becomes an ingenious economic strategy to lower fuel prices.
Apparently, Russian petroleum products are controversial when Indians buy them but wonderfully useful when American farmers, truckers and consumers need cheaper fuel.
Same Russia. Same energy business. Different customers. Completely different lecture.
Trump has presented the diesel arrangement as a way to bring down prices for Americans. And honestly, every government should try to protect its citizens from expensive fuel. American farmers deserve affordable diesel, just as Indian farmers deserve affordable energy.
But if affordable fuel is a legitimate national priority for Washington, why should India’s own energy-security concerns be treated as an offence deserving punishment?
India imports enormous quantities of crude oil because domestic production cannot meet its needs. Buying oil from different suppliers is a practical economic decision, not necessarily an endorsement of every policy pursued by the exporting country.
And here lies the delicious irony. Trump has spent considerable political energy pressuring countries to reduce their dependence on Russian energy. Yet, when American fuel prices become a problem at home, he turns to Putin and announces a deal with considerable enthusiasm.
Perhaps the slogan should be updated – Buy American, unless Russian diesel is cheaper.
If Russian energy revenues are a problem, the principle should be explained clearly and applied coherently. If economic necessity justifies buying Russian fuel, India deserves to have its own economic necessities considered seriously.
International relations cannot operate on the principle that one country’s energy security is a legitimate concern while another’s is a punishable offence.
So, Mr Trump, Indians have a perfectly reasonable question – When America buys Russian diesel, is it a clever deal? And when India buys Russian oil, is it suddenly a geopolitical crime?
Bro, make it make sense.
