By Former U.S. President Donald Trump has said he has heard that India has stopped buying oil from Russia — a development he called a “good step,” though he acknowledged uncertainty about the accuracy of the report. His comments come in the backdrop of newly signed executive orders imposing sweeping tariffs on countries including India.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “Well, I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. That’s what I heard. I don’t know if that’s right or not, but that’s a good step. We’ll see what happens.” The statement reflects his continued criticism of India’s energy and defense ties with Russia, even as he reiterated his long-standing grievances over trade imbalances with the South Asian nation.
Tariffs and Penalties Imposed on Indian Goods
Just a day before making the statement, Trump signed executive orders reinstating a 25% tariff on goods from nearly 70 countries, including India. This move marks an aggressive shift in U.S. trade policy, particularly targeting countries the Trump administration views as having “unfair” trade practices. According to the orders, Indian goods entering the United States will now be subjected to the same steep duties once imposed during Trump’s previous term.
The latest measures also include additional “penalties” targeting India’s procurement of military hardware and energy supplies from Russia — a continuing source of concern in Washington, especially amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“India is our friend,” Trump said, “but over the years, we’ve done relatively little business with them because their tariffs are far too high — among the highest in the world — and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country.”
Strong Words on India-Russia Relations
Trump didn’t stop at trade. He launched a scathing criticism of India’s historical defense alignment with Russia, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
“India has always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia,” he noted, adding that India is also one of Russia’s top energy buyers, alongside China. “At a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine, these are all things not good,” he added.
In a strongly worded message on Truth Social, Trump expressed disdain over the India-Russia bond: “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”
He further said, “We’ve done very little business with India. Their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together — let’s keep it that way.”
Indian Oil Imports from Russia See Sudden Drop
Trump’s remarks coincide with reports that Indian state-run refiners have temporarily halted purchases of Russian oil. According to a Reuters report citing four industry sources, companies like Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), and Mangalore Refinery (MRPL) have made no new purchases of Russian crude oil over the past week.
These refiners — India’s largest buyers of seaborne Russian crude — have not sought Russian oil in their latest procurement cycles, signaling a potential shift in sourcing strategy. India has been the largest buyer of Russian crude via the sea route since the imposition of Western sanctions on Moscow in 2022.
Despite this, the Indian government has not confirmed any formal change in policy. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We take decisions based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time.”
Responding to questions about the reported halt in Russian oil purchases, Jaiswal said, “As for the specifics of your particular question, I am not aware of it. I don’t have details of these specifics.”
Energy and Diplomacy in a Delicate Balance
India has repeatedly defended its right to purchase oil and defense equipment from any country based on its national interests. With rising energy demands and a commitment to maintaining affordable oil prices for its population, New Delhi has often walked a fine line between its strategic partnerships with the West and its legacy defense and energy ties with Moscow.
Although Trump is no longer in office, his rhetoric and executive orders could influence broader U.S. policy discourse, particularly as he remains a key contender in the upcoming 2024 U.S. elections.
The evolving trade and geopolitical dynamics between India, the United States, and Russia have once again come under the spotlight, with Trump’s remarks and policy decisions reigniting discussions around tariffs, oil imports, and defense ties. While India maintains its official stance of non-alignment and pragmatic diplomacy, its recent actions in the energy sector — if confirmed — may signal a rebalancing in the country’s international strategy.
Whether these developments reflect temporary adjustments or long-term policy shifts remains to be seen.
