Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his pressure on India, asserting that New Delhi has pledged to end its imports of Russian crude and warning of severe trade penalties if it fails to comply.
In comments delivered to journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump claimed he had secured assurances from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent discussion. “I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing,” Trump stated, echoing assertions he made earlier in the week.
The exchange highlights escalating tensions in U.S.-India trade relations, fueled by Washington’s broader campaign to isolate Russia’s energy exports. The U.S. views such transactions as bolstering Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine, prompting aggressive countermeasures against global partners.
India, however, swiftly dismissed Trump’s portrayal of events last week, denying any phone call took place regarding its Russian oil purchases. Undeterred, the president responded bluntly: “But if they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don’t want to do that.”
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These tariffs represent a significant escalation in punitive measures. The U.S. has already slapped a 50 percent levy on a wide array of Indian exports, coupled with a 25 percent surcharge specifically targeting dealings with Russia—rates that rank among the steepest globally. Trump has been vocal in recent days, insisting these duties will persist or intensify unless India severs its crude oil trade with Russia entirely.
The standoff unfolds against a backdrop of intensified U.S. sanctions aimed at curbing Russia’s wartime revenue streams. As New Delhi navigates its energy needs amid volatile global markets, Trump’s rhetoric underscores the high stakes: compliance could ease trade frictions, while resistance risks further economic strain on bilateral ties.
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