Trump warns India of fresh tariffs over Russian oil, says PM Modi ‘knew I was not happy’

US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to India, hinting at additional tariffs over New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil, directly linking the issue to the Russia–Ukraine war. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the US could raise duties on India if it does not “help on the Russian oil issue.”

While praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally, Trump said the Indian leader “knew I was not happy” and suggested trade pressure could be used swiftly. “They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” he remarked, underscoring his administration’s hardline approach.

India is already facing steep duties, with tariffs having reached up to 50 per cent in some categories after Trump imposed a reciprocal levy and an additional penalty linked to Russian oil purchases. The move last year significantly strained ties between New Delhi and Washington, with Trump accusing India of indirectly strengthening Russia through crude imports.

Trump has repeatedly positioned himself as a mediator in the Russia–Ukraine conflict, holding multiple discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though without tangible progress. He has earlier claimed that PM Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil, a claim New Delhi later rejected, saying no such conversation took place.

The latest warning comes amid stalled India–US trade talks, even as both sides publicly stress the need to keep engagement alive. While Washington is pressing India to lower barriers on American agricultural products, New Delhi has maintained that protecting its farming and dairy sectors remains non-negotiable.