New Delhi, India on Monday mounted a sharp counterattack on the US and the European Union for their "unjustified and unreasonable" targeting of New Delhi for its procurement of Russian crude oil. Firmly rejecting the criticism, India pointed out the continuing trade relations the US and the European Union have with Russia.

At least four tankers discharged millions of barrels of Russian crude at Indian refineries at the weekend, a sign the closely scrutinized deliveries are continuing as normal, even as the US ramps up pressure on the South Asian country to stop purchases.