US President Donald Trump has once again placed India under the spotlight, warning that Washington could impose higher tariffs if New Delhi continues to buy crude oil from Russia. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his dissatisfaction on the issue and had taken steps to address it.
“We could raise tariffs on India if they don’t help on the Russian oil issue,” Trump said, adding that India had already reduced its purchases. “They wanted to make me happy… PM Modi is a very good man. He knew I wasn’t happy, and they moved to fix it,” he remarked.
Trump’s comments come at a sensitive moment, as Indian and US officials have just begun a fresh round of negotiations aimed at breaking the long-standing trade deadlock between the two countries. Talks had stalled earlier after the US imposed steep tariffs—some reaching as high as 50 percent—on select Indian imports.
Despite the sharp warning, Trump struck a notably warm tone toward India, describing the country as “amazing” and calling Modi a “great friend” of the United States. The US Embassy in India recently echoed this sentiment in a social media post, highlighting the strength of the bilateral relationship even as economic tensions persist.
India, for its part, has consistently defended its Russian oil imports, arguing that affordable energy is critical for domestic stability and economic growth. The issue has gained renewed geopolitical importance following recent US military actions in Venezuela, which have once again pushed global oil supply and sanctions into focus.
With energy security, trade tariffs, and strategic alliances intersecting, the coming weeks of India–US negotiations are expected to be closely watched by global markets and policymakers alike.
