New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could raise tariffs on Indian goods “very quickly,” saying New Delhi understands the importance of keeping Washington satisfied as scrutiny grows over India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, as reported by Fox News, Trump referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach on the issue of Russian oil and said New Delhi was aware of the stakes.
“They wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy,” Trump said, referring to India’s energy imports from Russia.
The Trump administration has already imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent on several categories of Indian exports to the US, citing New Delhi’s continued oil purchases during the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Trump made it clear that Washington retains the option of tightening pressure even further.
“They do trade and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly. It would be very bad for them,” he said.
The comments come at a time when India–US trade talks remain stalled. Several rounds of negotiations this year failed to produce a breakthrough on tariff rollbacks, even as both governments said they wished to maintain momentum in the broader strategic partnership.
US Senator Lindsey Graham, who was on the same flight, told reporters that Indian officials had recently emphasised reductions in Russian oil imports. “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,” Graham said, adding that New Delhi had appealed for tariff relief.
Meanwhile, Congress Party sharply criticised the remarks, saying those raised serious questions about whether New Delhi’s energy and foreign policy choices were being influenced by pressure from Washington. Referring to Trump’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi acted to “make me happy,” the party, in a post on X, demanded clarity on whether India had altered its purchases of Russian oil to appease the US President, and accused the government of projecting weakness instead of maintaining an “independent and robust” foreign policy.
According to media reports, recent trade data indicates Russian crude continues to make up a significant share of India’s oil basket. Official figures show that imports from Russia rose to a six-month high in November 2025, accounting for about 35 per cent of total crude intake. Purchases from the United States have also increased and now cover nearly 13 per cent of India’s oil imports, meaning the two countries together supply close to half of India’s crude needs.
India has repeatedly argued that price-sensitive oil imports are necessary to protect domestic consumers and ensure energy security, particularly in a volatile global market.
Trump’s latest warning also coincides with heightened geopolitical focus on global oil flows after the US operation in Venezuela, a country that holds the world’s largest proven crude reserves but has seen output collapse due to sanctions and underinvestment.
Despite the economic pressure, Trump also struck a softer note toward New Delhi in recent weeks, calling India “an important strategic partner” and describing Modi as “a great friend” of the United States.
The future trajectory of tariffs — and whether they become a central flashpoint in the relationship — now rests on whether Washington believes New Delhi is significantly cutting back its purchases of Russian crude.
