In a sharp escalation of trade tensions, US President Donald Trump reiterated on October 20, 2025 that India would continue to face “massive tariffs” on its exports unless it stopped buying oil from Russia.He claimed that Narendra Modi had assured him of an end to India’s Russian oil imports, saying, “He said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing… But if they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs.”
New Delhi has denied any recent conversation between Modi and Trump on the issue. The Indian government maintains that its energy imports are driven by consumer-interest and market security, rather than foreign political pressure.
Trump’s remarks come amid growing concern in Washington that India’s discounted oil purchases from Russia are indirectly funding Moscow’s military efforts in the Ukraine war. This aligns with earlier US policy that had slapped India with up to 50 % tariffs on goods, part of which were specifically linked to its Russian oil imports.
With India seeking to maintain energy sovereignty and market stability, the standoff places New Delhi in a strategic cross-road: balancing economic partnerships with the US against its energy-security priorities.
