Trump warns of higher tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases

NEW DELHI: The United States could raise tariffs on India if New Delhi does not meet Washington's demand to curb purchases of Russian oil, President Donald Trump said on Sunday, escalating pressure on the South Asian country as trade talks remain inconclusive.

AI Brief

Trump says he can quickly raise tariffs on India over its Russian oil purchases, heightening pressure as trade tensions grow.
Indian markets fall amid fears the spat could stall a long-sought US-India trade deal, while US lawmakers push for harsher penalties.
Experts warn India's strategic ambiguity on Russian oil leaves it vulnerable, even as exports to the US face steep tariffs and negotiations drag on.

"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

"They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly," Trump said in response to a question on India's Russian oil purchases.

India's commerce ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump's comments follow months of trade negotiations after the U.S. doubled import tariffs on Indian goods to 50% last year as punishment for its heavy buying of Russian oil.

Indian markets reacted on Monday, with the information technology stock index .NIFTYITfalling about 2.5% to its lowest in more than a month, as investors worried that strained trade relations could further delay a U.S.-India trade deal.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally travelling with him, said U.S. sanctions on Russian oil companies and higher tariffs on India had helped curb Indian oil imports.

Graham is backing legislation to impose tariffs of up to 500% on countries such as India that continue to buy Russian oil.

"If you are buying cheap Russian oil, (you) keep Putin's war machine going," he said, adding that "we are trying to give the President ability to make that a hard choice by tariffs."

Trump's actions were the main reasons India was now buying "substantially less Russian oil," Graham said.

Trade experts warn, however, that New Delhi’s cautious approach risks weakening its position.

Ajay Srivastava, founder of trade think tank Global Trade Research Initiative, said Indian exports already face a 50% U.S. tariff, with 25% linked to purchases of Russian crude.

While Indian refiners have cut imports after sanctions, he said, buying has not stopped entirely, leaving India in a "strategic grey zone."

"Ambiguity no longer works," Srivastava said, urging India to clearly state its stance on Russian oil. He warned that even a complete halt may not end U.S. pressure, which could shift to other trade demands, and that higher tariffs risk deeper export losses.

Separately, India struck a cautious diplomatic stance after the United States captured Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, urging dialogue without explicitly naming Washington.

Despite steep tariffs, India's exports to the U.S. leapt in November, though shipments fell more than 20% between May and November 2025. As New Delhi seeks to clinch a trade deal with Washington, the government has asked refiners for weekly disclosures of Russian and U.S. oil purchases to address U.S. concerns.

Modi has spoken to Trump at least three times since the tariffs were imposed. India's commerce secretary met U.S. trade officials last month, but talks remain unresolved.