U.S President Donald Trump, on Friday has welcomed the news which he has reportedly learnt from reports claiming India has halted procurement of oil from Russia. In an exchange with reporters, President Trump stated, “I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard, I don't know if that's right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens.” This comment, made on camera, follows his administration’s imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian goods, effective August 1, 2025, as a response to India’s trade policies and its continued imports of Russian oil and military equipment. The statement has sparked discussions about India’s energy strategy and the evolving U.S.-India trade relationship even as there is no official confirmation from Indian government about their current stand on Russian oil. Indian MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday, has rather said that India-Russia ties steady and time tested while exuding confidence that India-US relationship will continue to move forward.
Tariffs and U.S.-India Trade Dispute
On July 30, 2025, Trump announced the 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing a $45.8 billion U.S. trade deficit with India in 2024, high Indian tariffs on American goods, and restrictive trade practices. He also criticised India’s substantial purchases of Russian oil, which account for roughly 35% of India’s crude imports in 2025, as well as its ongoing procurement of Russian military hardware. The tariff, coupled with an additional penalty for engaging with Russia, aimed to pressure India into aligning with U.S. interests and negotiating a new trade agreement by August 1, a deadline that has now passed without resolution.
India’s Ministry of Commerce responded by emphasising its commitment to a balanced trade deal that safeguards national interests, particularly for its agricultural and small business sectors. Indian officials have expressed willingness to continue trade talks but have defended their energy and defence ties with Russia as critical to national security and economic stability. India, the world’s third-largest oil consumer, has significantly increased its reliance on Russian oil since 2022, when Western sanctions on Moscow led to discounted crude prices. In 2025, Russia supplies approximately 1.5 million barrels per day to India, making it a key energy partner. However, Trump’s claim that India may have halted these imports remains unverified.
