Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump said India reduced its purchases of Russian oil in recent months to ease trade tensions with Washington and to secure progress on a bilateral trade deal. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood his displeasure over India’s energy ties with Russia and acted to address it. Trump added tariffs on India could rise quickly if purchases continue.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham supported Trump’s remarks and referred to a meeting with India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, in December 2025. Graham said the ambassador spoke about declining Russian oil imports and urged relief from an additional 25 percent tariff imposed by Washington. The meeting took place during a dinner hosted by the ambassador for a bipartisan Senate delegation.
Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal lead a Russia sanctions bill in the U.S. Senate. The bill proposes tariffs of up to 500 percent on countries continuing to buy Russian oil or uranium. Trump said he expects the legislation to pass soon and said India would face its impact.
The Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to requests for comment. In earlier statements, the ministry described unilateral sanctions by the United States as double standards, pointing to U.S. purchases of Russian commodities.
Trump repeated earlier claims from October 2025, when he said India promised to cut Russian oil imports fully. Reports cited by Indian commerce ministry sources showed imports fell between June and October before rising again in November alongside higher U.S. oil purchases.
Graham said U.S. tariff pressure helped advance trade deals with several partners. Trump said trade leverage remains effective and warned continued Russian oil trade would hurt India’s economic interests.
