TFP Bureau, New Delhi, October 21,2025: US President Donald Trump has reignited trade tensions with India, warning that the country could face “heavy tariffs” if it continues to buy oil from Russia. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally assured him that New Delhi would stop importing Russian crude but said India had failed to follow through on that commitment.
“He (Prime Minister Modi) told me, ‘India will not buy oil from Russia.’ But if they continue to do so, they will have to pay heavy tariffs,” Trump said, adding that his administration was closely monitoring India’s purchases of Russian oil. The President described India’s continued trade with Moscow as an indirect way of funding Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.
Trump’s remarks come amid an already strained trade relationship between Washington and New Delhi, with the US having recently increased import tariffs on several key Indian exports, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, and steel. According to sources within the White House, Trump has been pressing for a tougher stance against countries that continue to maintain significant economic ties with Russia despite ongoing Western sanctions.
When asked about the Indian government’s response — which stated it had no knowledge of any recent conversation between Trump and Prime Minister Modi — Trump doubled down. “If they want to say that, they can,” he remarked. “But if they continue buying oil from Russia, they will have to pay heavy tariffs, and they don’t want to do that.”
The controversy began earlier in the week when Trump, in a surprise statement from the Oval Office, claimed that Prime Minister Modi had given him personal assurances about halting oil imports from Russia. “About one-third of India’s oil comes from Russia,” Trump said. “We believe that this money is helping to fuel Moscow’s war in Ukraine, and we’re taking that very seriously.”
However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) categorically dismissed Trump’s claims. At a press briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said he was unaware of any such recent conversation between the two leaders. “I have no information on any call or discussion between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump on this issue,” Jaiswal clarified. He added that while India and the US continue to engage in dialogue on strengthening energy cooperation, there had been no agreement or assurance regarding Russian oil imports.
“Discussions on energy partnership between India and the United States are ongoing,” Jaiswal said, emphasizing that India’s decisions in this regard are guided solely by national interest and energy security.
According to data from India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Russia has emerged as India’s largest oil supplier in recent years, accounting for nearly one-third of total crude imports. These purchases surged after Russia began offering significant discounts on crude oil in the wake of Western sanctions following the Ukraine invasion.
Indian officials have repeatedly defended these imports, arguing that they are crucial to maintaining stable energy prices and ensuring the country’s energy security. “Our energy procurement strategy is guided by our national interest,” an official source said. “We buy oil from wherever it is most affordable and reliable.”
Despite Washington’s mounting pressure, New Delhi has continued to maintain a balancing act — strengthening strategic ties with the United States while safeguarding its economic relationship with Russia, a longstanding defense and energy partner.
Observers see Trump’s latest statement as part of his broader effort to rally domestic support by portraying himself as tough on trade and foreign policy ahead of the US elections. Analysts also suggest that his remarks could strain diplomatic relations with India, which has so far maintained neutrality on the Ukraine conflict.
Trump’s warning comes as the global energy market remains volatile, with rising geopolitical tensions and fluctuating oil prices. For India, which imports more than 80 percent of its crude oil requirements, securing affordable energy supplies remains a top priority — even as it navigates the complex diplomatic landscape shaped by the Russia-Ukraine war and growing Western pressure.
While Washington continues to advocate for a reduction in Russian oil dependence among its allies and partners, India’s leadership has made it clear that its energy decisions will remain independent and pragmatic. Whether Trump’s tariff threat materializes or remains political rhetoric, the episode underscores the growing friction between global energy realities and political posturing on the world stage.
