Raphael Kanu
U.S. President Donald Trump again threatened on Monday to raise tariffs on goods from India over its continued purchases of Russian oil, while New Delhi condemned the threat as “unjustified” and pledged to defend its economic interests, deepening the trade tensions between the two countries.
In a social media post, Trump said, “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine.” He added, “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”
India’s foreign ministry responded swiftly. A spokesperson stated that India will “take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security” and described the targeting of India as “unjustified and unreasonable.”
Trump has also warned of broader sanctions, saying that unless Russia takes steps to end its 3.5-year war with Ukraine, new penalties will be imposed on Moscow and countries that continue to buy its energy exports. Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no sign of changing his position, despite Trump’s looming deadline.
Over the weekend, two Indian government sources told Reuters that India would continue purchasing oil from Russia despite the threats. India has resisted Western pressure to distance itself from Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, citing historical ties and energy security needs.
Trump had already imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports in July, and U.S. officials have highlighted various geopolitical disputes that hinder the finalization of a trade agreement between the two nations. Trump has also criticized the BRICS group — of which India is a member — accusing it of being hostile to the U.S. The bloc has dismissed the claim, asserting that it supports the shared interests of developing countries.
India is currently the largest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia, importing approximately 1.75 million barrels per day from January to June this year — a slight increase from the previous year. An Indian official said the country had turned to Russian oil after traditional suppliers shifted shipments to Europe following the outbreak of the Ukraine war. The spokesperson argued that it was “a necessity compelled by global market situation,” and accused Western countries, particularly the European Union, of hypocrisy given their continued trade with Russia.
Despite India’s official position, sources revealed that some major Indian refiners paused Russian oil purchases last week as supplier discounts narrowed following Trump’s tariff threats. However, officials in New Delhi denied any policy shift. Indian Oil Corp, the country’s largest refiner, reportedly purchased seven million barrels of crude from the U.S., Canada, and the Middle East, according to four trade sources.
India has also expressed frustration over Trump repeatedly taking credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, which brought a halt to days of hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Richard Rossow, head of the India program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, commented that India’s continued defense and energy ties with Russia remain a sticking point. “India does not feel it can predict how the Trump administration will approach Russia from month to month,” he said.