New Delhi/Washington, 5 August (H.S.): Russia has accused the United States of exerting illegal economic pressure on India following President Donald Trump's renewed threats of tariff increases on India's purchases of Russian oil. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that such threats are attempts to coerce nations into severing trade ties with Russia and emphasized that sovereign countries have the right to choose their trading partners.

India's foreign ministry responded by highlighting the hypocrisy of nations criticizing it while engaging in trade with Russia themselves, noting that the EU conducted significant trade with Russia in 2024, including record imports of liquefied natural gas.

The U.S. continues to import various Russian commodities, including uranium and palladium, which India pointed out in its statement. The U.S. and the EU have notably reduced trade relations with Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but the rift between India and the U.S. has intensified since Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods and threatened penalties for Russian oil purchases. Trump publicly condemned India’s oil purchases, stating that India profits from reselling Russian oil and accused it of financing the war in Ukraine.

Energy prices, according to Trump, are pivotal in curtailing Russia's war efforts, suggesting that a drop in oil prices could force Putin to cease military actions. India remains a significant importer of Russian crude oil, with its intake recently recorded at approximately 1.75 million barrels per day, an increase from the previous year.

The relationship between the U.S. and India, once strong during Trump's earlier term, has faced tensions due to Russian oil purchases and Trump's tariff threats. The situation is further complicated by recent military conflicts between India and Pakistan, leading to international calls for de-escalation. In response to sanctions on Russian oil ventures, India has firmly stated its opposition to unilateral sanctions imposed by the EU, emphasizing its independent stance in trade matters.

The incident indicates growing geopolitical friction as nations navigate their economic interests amid a complicated international landscape shaped by the Ukraine conflict and shifting alliances.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar