A top aide to President Donald Trump on Sunday accused India of effectively financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing oil from Moscow, after the US leader escalated pressure on New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil.read more
A senior official in the Trump administration on Sunday accused India of effectively funding Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to purchase oil from Moscow, as President Donald Trump intensified calls for New Delhi to halt its energy imports from Russia.
Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House and one of Trump’s most influential aides said ”What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia,”.
Miller’s criticism was some of the strongest yet by the Trump administration about one of the United States’ major partners in the Indo-Pacific.
”People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact,” Miller said on Fox News’ ”Sunday Morning Futures.”
The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi will keep purchasing oil from Moscow despite US threats.
A 25% tariff on Indian products went into effect on Friday as a result of its purchase of military equipment and energy from Russia. Trump has also threatened 100% tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine.
Indian officials told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi will continue purchasing Russian oil, citing the country’s energy security requirements.
On Friday, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, pointing to India’s ongoing defence and energy ties with Moscow. Trump has also warned of raising tariffs to 100% on imports from countries that persist in buying Russian oil unless Russia agrees to a major peace deal.
Despite the sharp remarks, Miller acknowledged Trump’s “tremendous” relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India and the United States have been negotiating a “fair, balanced and mutually beneficial” bilateral trade agreement in recent months, and New Delhi remains committed to that goal, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
With inputs from agencies