Trump Threatens ‘Massive Tariffs’ on India for Continuing Russian Oil Imports

Trump threatens ‘massive tariffs’ over India’s Russian oil imports, cites alleged assurance from Modi.

US President Donald Trump has renewed his warning that India could face “massive” tariffs if it continues purchasing oil from Russia, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that New Delhi would stop such imports.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “PM Modi told me, ‘I’m not going to be doing the Russian oil thing.’ But if they keep doing it, they’ll be paying massive tariffs.” When questioned about India’s statement that no recent conversation had taken place, Trump replied, “But if they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs — and they don’t want to do that.”

Trump’s remarks follow his unusual statement in the Oval Office earlier this week, in which he described Modi’s alleged assurance as “a big step” toward ending India’s Russian oil trade. He added that the process would not be immediate but would occur “within a short period of time,” calling it “a little bit of a process.” During a bilateral lunch with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump reiterated, “Well, India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore.”

India denies any recent conversation with Trump

In response, New Delhi clarified that there was no recent phone call between Prime Minister Modi and the US President. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India’s energy policy focuses on ensuring stable prices and secure supplies.

“Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions,” Jaiswal said. He underlined that India’s oil imports are guided by market realities and consumer interests amid global energy volatility.

The exchange has attracted international attention, highlighting US pressure on India over its energy ties with Russia amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict.