Trump Aide Alleges India's Funding of Russia's War Efforts in Ukraine
India has continued its purchases of Russian oil, defying U.S. pressure and the imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian imports by the Trump administration that came into effect on August 27, 2025. This decision has prompted a series of actions from the U.S., indicating a strain in the trade relationship between the two countries.
Indian refiners increased their Russian oil imports to an 11-month peak in June 2025, averaging about 2.08 million barrels per day. This amounts to 44% of India's total crude intake, a move that the U.S. has justified as a response to India's ongoing direct or indirect imports of Russian oil, which the U.S. considers part of the national emergency related to Russia's actions against Ukraine.
The tariff is in addition to other existing duties and fees on Indian imports. The U.S. has accused India of effectively financing Russia's war in Ukraine through these oil purchases, a claim that could have significant implications for the Indo-Russian relationship.
Regarding U.S.-India relations, the imposition of tariffs represents a clear point of tension. While India appears to be hedging its purchases and might scale back Russian oil imports if pressured, it has not signaled an intention to stop buying Russian crude altogether. This ongoing purchase amid U.S. sanctions and tariffs indicates a pragmatic Indian approach balancing energy needs and geopolitical considerations, possibly complicating relations with the U.S. but avoiding complete alignment with U.S. demands on this issue.
The criticism was made by Stephen Miller, the deputy chief of staff at the White House, on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures". The Indian Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment regarding the accusations.
This is some of the strongest criticism by the Trump administration about India, one of the United States' major partners in the Indo-Pacific. The ongoing situation could have significant implications for the Indo-US trade relationship. The Trump administration's pressure on India to stop buying Russian oil indicates a broader geopolitical strategy to isolate Russia economically.
India's continued purchases despite tariffs show a calculated strategic decision. While it has prompted U.S. tariff actions reflecting strained trade relations, broader geopolitical and economic ties between the two countries persist with nuanced complexities.
References:
[1] "India's Russian Oil Imports Spike Amid U.S. Sanctions", Reuters, August 27, 2025.
[2] "U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Indian Imports Over Russian Oil Purchases", CNBC, August 27, 2025.
- The ongoing purchase of Russian oil by India, despite U.S. tariffs and sanctions, has sparked strong criticism, signaling a potential strain in U.S.-India relations, as reported in general news outlets like Reuters and CNBC.
- Amidst the trade tension, India's continued purchases of Russian oil remain a contentious issue in the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation, with consequences for war-and-conflicts, such as the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, as well as the future of Indo-US relations.
