India,Aug.05,2025: Trump had previously announced a 25 % tariff on Indian goods and hinted at additional penalties if India continues its energy ties with Russia
India Russia oil tariffs roam the headlines this August 2025, as U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning: he plans to substantially raise tariffs on Indian imports, citing India’s continued purchase and alleged resale of Russian oil. India has fired back, decrying the move as “unjustified and unreasonable.” This article explores the controversy, debate and expert perspectives.
Trump’s Latest Warning on India Russia oil tariffs
In a post on Truth Social on August 4, 2025, Trump accused India of buying “massive amounts of Russian Oil” and reselling it abroad for profit. He wrote:
“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil…selling it on the Open Market for big profits… Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”
Trump had previously announced a 25 % tariff on Indian goods and hinted at additional penalties if India continues its energy ties with Russia.
He repeated these threats, stressing India’s role in undermining Western efforts to restrict Russia’s war spending in Ukraine.
India’s Official Response
India’s Ministry of External Affairs swiftly rebutted: the targeting of India is “unjustified and unreasonable.”
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pointedly asked the West to recognize its own trade with Russia, accusing the U.S. and EU of hypocrisy.
New Delhi emphasized that imports were prompted when Western countries diverted traditional oil supplies to Europe after the Ukraine conflict began. The U.S. had even actively encouraged India to import to stabilize global markets.
India also reaffirmed its sovereign right to pursue energy security and national interests independently.
The Historical Context: Why India Buys Russian Oil
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, global supply chains were disrupted. India shifted to buying Russian crude when Gulf and Middle‑East oil was redirected to Europe.
In 2024, India imported nearly 89 million tonnes of seaborne Russian crude, roughly 50% more than China, becoming Russia’s largest seaborne crude buyer.
Experts clarify that India does not export crude oil—only refined products like diesel and jet fuel, processed within India.
What Experts Are Saying
- Ajay Srivastava (Global Trade Research Initiative) disputes Trump’s claims:
“India is a net importer of crude oil… global exports of crude stand at zero.” He adds that India’s refineries decide on crude sourcing independently, based on cost, supply security, and export considerations—not government mandates.
- Brahma Chellaney, strategic affairs analyst, described Trump’s volatile tariff threats as challenging for a risk-averse country like India, forcing it to question Western double standards.
- Kabir Taneja (Observer Research Foundation) notes Trump’s focus on India seems selective—Turkey, UAE, Saudi and Qatar also trade with Russia but face no tariff threat.
- Sushant Sarin (ORF senior fellow): Trump’s actions diminish Indo‑U.S. mutual trust; even if tariffs are rolled back, India may question future reliability.
Strategic Fallout in U.S.–India Relations
What once seemed a growing strategic alignment—defence partnership, trade negotiations, shared concerns over China—has hit a sudden low. The relationship once celebrated between Modi and Trump has cooled sharply.
Experts warn that the tariff spat, combined with perceived U.S. tilt toward Pakistan, could derail pending trade deals, undermine trust, and shake mutual strategic gains.
Impacts on Energy Markets & Global Trade
- Global energy prices: India’s diversion to Russian oil helped stabilize supply and mitigate soaring prices amid sanctions and redirection to Europe.
- Trade volumes: In 2024, U.S.–India bilateral trade exceeded $129 billion, with substantial surpluses and strategic expectations. Trump’s tariffs threaten up to 87 % of India’s exports to the U.S. (approx. $66 billion) as per internal Indian estimates.
What Lies Ahead
- Negotiations: India remains open to a “fair, balanced and mutually beneficial” trade agreement, rejecting pressure but not dialogue.
- Energy policy: India is unlikely to abandon its Russian oil policy, calling it a matter of economic necessity and strategic autonomy.
- Diplomatic uncertainty: Experts warn India must now weigh unpredictable U.S. leadership alongside future global alignments.
India has made clear: like other major economies, it will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests and economic security.
India Russia oil tariffs
The India Russia oil tariffs dispute underscores a broader geopolitical clash: the U.S. pushing realignment, and India asserting diplomatic independence grounded in economic compulsion. As the U.S. threatens tariffs, India doubles down on its sovereign right to choose energy sources based on national need and strategic consistency.
