Former US President Donald Trump has issued a renewed warning to India concerning its ongoing oil imports from Russia, asserting that the nation will face ‘massive tariffs’ if it continues this trade. This is the third time Trump has publicly commented on the issue, citing an alleged assurance from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding a change in India’s oil purchasing strategy.
According to reports, Trump told reporters that Prime Minister Modi had promised to stop India’s Russian oil dealings. Trump further warned that if this commitment is not met, India would ‘continue to pay massive tariffs.’ He highlighted the current tariff imposition: ‘The 79-year-old Republican president has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on India for procuring Russian oil, taking the total duties on New Delhi to a whopping 50 per cent.’ India has previously contested the legitimacy of these tariffs.
Contradicting Trump’s account, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has stated that it is ‘unaware of any conversation’ between Prime Minister Modi and the former president. The Indian government maintains its focus on safeguarding the interests of its consumers by ensuring consistent and affordable energy supplies.
Russia has become India’s primary source of crude oil since the onset of the Ukraine war, a development that has been closely watched globally. Data analytics firms show that Russian oil now accounts for 34% of India’s total crude oil imports, solidifying its position as the leading supplier. Despite a minor reduction in import volumes from Russia compared to earlier months, it remains the most significant contributor to India’s energy needs.