“The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable."
India has called Donald Trump’s threat of “substantially” higher tariffs over its oil trade with Russia “unjustified and unreasonable”.
The US President issued the warning on his Truth Social platform, saying India “don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine”.
India is one of the largest buyers of Russian oil. Moscow has relied on New Delhi as a key export market since European nations cut energy imports following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Trump did not specify the new tariff level, but the warning comes just days after he introduced a 25% levy on India.
Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India’s foreign ministry, said the US had initially encouraged Indian imports of Russian gas “for strengthening global energy markets stability”.
He said India “began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict.”
India criticised the US, its largest trading partner, for targeting it while continuing to trade with Russia.
The US imported an estimated £2.6 billion worth of Russian goods in 2024, despite sanctions and tariffs.
The ministry said: “Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.
“The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable.”
Trump recently called India a “friend” but said its tariffs on US goods “are far too high”. He also warned of an unspecified “penalty” over trade with Russia.
His latest post took an even harsher tone.
Trump said: “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, 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.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not ordered India’s oil refineries to stop Russian imports, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Ajay Srivastava, a former Indian trade official and head of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), said Trump’s claims about India’s oil trade are misleading.
He said India’s purchases were transparent and broadly understood by Washington.
Srivastava explained that India ramped up imports to stabilise markets after Western sanctions disrupted supplies, helping to prevent a global price shock.
He added that India’s refineries decide purchases based on price, supply security, and export rules.
These refineries operate independently of the government and do not need approval to buy from Russia or any other country.
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