Bhubaneswar: Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi reduced India’s purchases of Russian crude oil after sensing Washington’s displeasure, warning that tariffs could be raised swiftly if such imports continue.
Backing Trump’s remarks, US Senator Lindsey Graham referred to a December meeting with Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra, during which the envoy reportedly highlighted a decline in India’s Russian oil imports following the imposition of a 25 per cent US tariff in August 2025.
While India’s imports of Russian crude fell by around 18 per cent in early 2025, they continue to remain significant. The remarks have triggered mixed reactions in India, with supporters hailing Modi’s diplomatic balancing act, while critics argue that New Delhi is yielding to external pressure.
The exchange underscores persistent strains in US-India relations over India’s energy ties with Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
-OdishaAge
