Trump threatens India with a “significant” tariff increase for the purchase of Russian oil

Donald Trump has threatened that it will “significantly” raise the rates against India over the purchase of oil from Russia.

“They (India) are not interested in how many people in Ukraine are killed by the Russian military machine,” writes US president on his online platform, Truth Social, on Monday.

India is currently among the largest buyers of Russian oil. It has become an important export market for Moscow after several European countries shortened trade when Russia began a full invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Trump did not specify what the new tariff would be, but it only comes days after he revealed a huge 25% tax in India.

Delhi called Trump’s warning “unjustified and unreasonable.”

In a statement, a spokesman for India Foreign Ministry Randhir Jasal said the United States had encouraged India to import Russian gas at the beginning of the conflict, “to strengthen the stability of global energy markets.”

He said India “has begun to import from Russia because traditional supplies have been diverted to Europe after the conflict outbreak.”

India also criticizes the United States – its largest trading partner – for the introduction of tariffs, when the US itself is still trading with Russia. Last year, US traded goods For approximately $ 3.5 billion ($ 2.6 billion) with Russia, despite the difficult sanctions and tariffs.

“Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to protect its national interests and economic security,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Last week, Trump had described India as a “friend” whose tariffs for American products “are too high”. His last social post of truth again hit a critical tone.

“India not only buys huge quantities of Russian oil, they are then, as much of the purchased oil is selling it in the open market for big profits,” he writes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not ordered the oil refineries in India to stop buying Russian oil, Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the situation.

Ajay Srivawa, a former employee of Indian trade and leader of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a Delhi -based brain, said Trump’s allegations of oil in India with Russia have been misled for several reasons.

He told the BBC that trade was transparent and widely understood by the United States.

Srivastava said India has increased oil purchases to help stabilize global markets after Western sanctions violate deliveries – helping to stop the global shock for oil prices.

He also said that oil refineries in India – both public and private – decide where to buy raw oil based on factors such as price, security and export rules. They act independently of the government and do not need its approval to buy from Russia or other countries.

Although relations between the US and Russia warmed after Trump returned to the White House in January, the US president recently strengthened his rhetoric against the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump asked if Putin was really committed to peace with Ukraine. In the social post of truth, he uses a strict language on Monday, describing the Russian military as the “Russian military machine”.

The Russian leader has repeatedly said that he is ready for peace, but only if Kiev meets certain conditions, such as recognition of Ukrainian territories that Russia has occupied.

Trump threatens Moscow with heavy tariffs aimed at oil and other exports if the fire with Ukraine is not agreed until August 8.

American envoy Steve Vikof has to visit Russia later this week, where he is expected to meet Putin.

Additional reporting from soutik biswas