In a pointed rebuke aimed at New Delhi, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to significantly raise tariffs on Indian imports, criticizing India for continuing to buy oil from Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The statement, posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, accused India of profiting from the conflict while ignoring the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine.
“They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,” Trump wrote. He also alleged that India is not just importing Russian crude but also reselling it at a profit on international markets. As a result, Trump vowed to “substantially raise the tariff” on goods imported from India.
While no specific tariff rate was disclosed, Trump has previously floated a 25% blanket tariff on Indian goods, citing unfair trade practices, a growing trade imbalance, and what he referred to as “strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary barriers.”
India Defends Energy Policy, Emphasizes Strategic Interests
In response, Indian officials pushed back against the U.S. president’s claims, defending the country’s energy security strategy. Sources in the Indian government told Reuters that India would not bow to pressure and would continue importing oil from Russia, citing national interest and economic necessity.
“The India-Russia relationship is a time-tested and stable partnership,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said last week. India also noted that its reliance on Russian oil has slightly decreased—from 36% of total crude imports in 2024 to 33.7% in Q2 of 2025. Meanwhile, U.S. crude exports to India have increased, rising from 3.5% to 8.5% during the same period, indicating a gradual diversification of sources.
The diplomatic strain comes at a time when India is actively seeking to broaden its oil sourcing beyond any single region. Indian oil companies are now importing crude from the Middle East, Africa, North America, and Latin America to reduce vulnerability and maintain consistent supply.
Trade and Defense Tensions Add to Diplomatic Friction
Trump’s remarks also extended beyond energy trade. He criticized India for what he labeled as unfair trade practices and even referred to India and Russia as “dead economies.” He also warned of additional penalties if India proceeds with purchases of Russian military hardware, suggesting it could compromise broader global efforts to pressure Moscow into ending the war in Ukraine.
“This is not the time to be dealing with Russia while the world wants the killing in Ukraine to stop,” Trump asserted.
India, however, has maintained that its defense and energy procurement decisions are made independently and are not open to foreign pressure. Despite mounting criticism from the West, India has continued to balance its international partnerships while safeguarding strategic autonomy.
