Trump Links US Tariffs On India To Russia Talks, New Delhi Rejects Oil Import Pause Claim

New York/Washington: US President Donald Trump has claimed that his decision to impose higher tariffs on India for purchasing oil from Russia played a role in Moscow’s decision to seek talks with Washington.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said that when he warned India about tariffs, it “essentially took them out of buying oil from Russia”. He suggested that Russia, after losing its “second largest customer”, wanted to meet with the US.

Trump said India was Russia’s second-largest oil buyer, close behind China. His comments came just before his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska.

India Denies Any Pause in Russian Oil Imports

India has strongly denied Trump’s claim that it has reduced or stopped Russian oil purchases because of the tariff threat. The Ministry of External Affairs said India’s decisions are based on national interest and economic security, not external pressure.

AS Sahney, Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), said there is “no pause” in imports. “We continue to buy based on economic considerations. If the pricing and quality of the crude fit our needs, we buy,” he told reporters in New Delhi.

New Tariffs to Hit Indian Exports

Last week, Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on US imports from India, raising the total duty to 50%. This move is meant to penalise India for continuing to buy Russian oil despite US concerns.

The new tariffs, set to take effect on August 27, are expected to affect around USD 40 billion worth of Indian exports to the US that are not exempt from the measure.

US Says Russian Oil Funds War, India Pushes Back

Trump has argued that India’s oil trade with Russia is helping “fuel” Moscow’s war machine. India, however, maintains that it will make its own choices to protect economic and strategic interests.