Trump hints at higher tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases

US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could further increase tariffs on Indian imports if New Delhi does not cooperate on what he described as the “Russian oil issue,” according to media reports. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said India was keen to keep him satisfied and suggested that tariff hikes could be imposed swiftly if US concerns were not addressed.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump described him as a “very good guy” who understood that the US President was unhappy. “We can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump was heard saying, as per an audio recording by international media.

Russian Oil at the Core of Tensions

Trump’s remarks relate to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil, a practice his administration has consistently opposed. The issue was previously cited when the US doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent in August 2025. Trump reiterated that tariffs could be raised again if India does not assist the US on the Russian oil front.

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The comments were made during a briefing that also touched on US actions in Venezuela, where oil considerations played a key role in recent military and diplomatic moves.

Diplomatic Strain and Conflicting Claims

Trump’s warning comes despite earlier claims that Prime Minister Modi had assured him India would stop buying Russian oil; an assertion New Delhi firmly denied. India has maintained that its energy policies are driven by market conditions and domestic consumer needs.

While Trump has previously spoken of a “special relationship” with Modi and expressed friendship toward India, his latest statement risks adding fresh strain to bilateral ties. Russia remains India’s largest oil supplier, and US officials have accused Moscow of using oil revenues to fund the Ukraine war, a claim India has not endorsed.