Friendlier Times: U.S.First Lady Melania Trump and U.S. President Donald Trump with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in New Delhi, India.
Andrea Hanks, The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
India is accused of funding Russia’s war efforts by buying oil from them.
Tensions escalated Monday, August 4th, between the United States and India after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Indian goods in response to New Delhi’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that India was “buying massive amounts of Russian Oil” and reselling it for “big profits,” adding, “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”
India’s Foreign Ministry sharply rejected the accusation. “The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,” said ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”
Jaiswal pointed to what he called Western double standards, noting that the U.S. and Europe continue to do business with Russia across multiple sectors. “It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia,” he said.
According to the statement, EU-Russia trade still includes energy, fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel, and machinery. The U.S. continues to import Russian uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear sector, palladium for its electric vehicle industry, and fertilizers and chemicals.
