Washington, DC [US], January 5 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to India, signaling the possibility of higher tariffs if New Delhi continues importing Russian oil. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday (local time), Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully aware of his displeasure over the issue.
“PM Modi’s a very good man. He’s a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump said, underscoring Washington’s growing pressure on India over its energy ties with Russia.
The warning comes amid heightened geopolitical focus on global oil supplies following the recent US strike on Venezuela. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves—estimated at over 300 billion barrels, or roughly 17 per cent of global reserves, according to OPEC data. However, production has fallen to around one million barrels per day due to prolonged US sanctions and chronic underinvestment.
Trump’s remarks reflect increasing scrutiny in Washington over India’s continued purchases of Russian crude, even as New Delhi has maintained that such imports are essential to safeguarding domestic energy security.
Adding to the pressure, US Senator Lindsey Graham claimed that Indian Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, approached him last month seeking tariff relief. Speaking alongside Trump aboard Air Force One, Graham said, “I was at the Indian Ambassador’s house a month ago, and all he wanted to talk about was how India is buying less Russian oil. And he asked me to tell the President to relieve the 25 per cent tariff.”
The developments follow a recent telephonic conversation between Trump and Prime Minister Modi, during which both leaders emphasized the importance of sustaining momentum in bilateral trade relations despite ongoing tariff-related tensions. The call coincided with the launch of a new round of negotiations between Indian and US officials aimed at resolving the long-standing trade impasse.
Only days before that conversation, Trump had threatened to impose new tariffs on Indian rice imports, acting on complaints raised by a US farmer representative at a White House roundtable who alleged dumping by India, China, and Thailand.
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