‘Double standards’: India rejects UK sanctions on Gujarat refinery
India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indian companies procure energy supplies from across the world based on overall market conditions.
Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
India says it does not recognise unilateral sanctions.
The UK imposed sanctions on Gujarat’s Vadinar refinery owned by Nayara Energy.
New measures are aimed at curbing Moscow’s oil revenue.
India calls for an end to double standards in global energy trade.
INDIA on Thursday (October 16) said it does not recognise unilateral sanctions and called for an end to double standards in energy trade after the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the Vadinar oil refinery in Gujarat.
The UK announced new sanctions targeting several entities, including the Indian refinery owned by Nayara Energy Limited, as part of measures aimed at restricting Moscow's oil revenue.
"We have noted the latest sanctions announced by the UK. India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanctions," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the ministry’s weekly briefing.
"The government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens," he said.
Jaiswal said Indian companies procure energy supplies from across the world based on overall market conditions.
"We would stress that there should be no double standards, especially when it comes to energy trade," he added.
Earlier, Nayara Energy had been targeted by European Union sanctions, which the company had strongly condemned.
The Britain Meets India 2024 report said 667 British companies are already operating in India, generating £47.5 billion in revenue and employing over 516,000 people. (Representational image: iStock)
UK BUSINESSES are increasing their focus on India as a key market following the UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), according to Grant Thornton’s latest International Business Report (IBR).
The report found that 72 per cent of UK firms now see India as a major international growth market, up from 61 per cent last year.
While only 28 per cent currently operate in India, 73 per cent of those without a presence plan to enter the market, including 13 per cent within the next year.
The Britain Meets India 2024 report said 667 British companies are already operating in India, generating £47.5 billion in revenue and employing over 516,000 people.
Among Indian firms, 99 per cent of those already in the UK plan to expand, while nearly 90 per cent of those not yet present intend to set up operations.
Anuj Chande, Partner and Head of South Asia Business Group at Grant Thornton UK, said: “The shift we’re seeing is clear: UK mid-market businesses are no longer asking ‘why India’ — they are asking ‘how soon’.
“With 73 per cent of firms planning to establish operations in India and over half of existing players looking to scale up within a year, this is a pivotal moment. The UK–India FTA is a game-changer, reducing entry barriers and accelerating opportunity, but it won’t remove the complexity of operating in a fragmented and dynamic market.”
Chande added that the recent UK trade delegation accompanying the Prime Minister’s visit has added to the impetus to trade and invest with India.
However, 63 per cent of UK firms cited regulation and foreign exchange controls as the main barriers to operating in India, while 38 per cent mentioned infrastructure gaps. For Indian companies, tariffs, regulation, and the UK’s fragmented regulatory system were the key concerns.
Despite the challenges, 21 per cent of UK businesses said they had no concerns about the FTA and viewed it as wholly beneficial.
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