Trump warns India of tariff hikes over Russian oil trade, referencing Modi. India insists policies are market-driven amid US pressure.

US President Donald Trump allegedly stated on Monday that if New Delhi didn’t assist with the “Russian oil issue,” the US could raise its current tariffs on Indian imports. Throughout the speech, Trump also made reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “good guy” who was aware of the US President was not happy.

“India wanted me to be happy.” Modi is an excellent man, and he was aware that I was unhappy. Making me happy was also crucial. In an audio clip, Trump was heard telling reporters, “We can raise tariffs on them very quickly.”

Trump made reference to India’s oil trade with Russia, which his government has long opposed and which was used as justification for raising tariffs on India to 50% in August 2025. Reuters cited the President as stating, “If India doesn’t help with the Russian oil issue, we could raise tariffs on them.”

Following Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s detention, the President made the comments at a briefing detailing the United States’ next course of action. Additionally, oil played a major role in the most recent attacks on the South American country.

Trump’s most recent warning of a tariff increase coincides with ongoing US-India trade talks.

Trump’s most recent comments follow months after he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “reassured” him that India would no longer buy Russian energy. “Oil won’t exist. In October, a few weeks after the 50% tariffs on Indian imports went into force, he declared, “He’s not buying oil.”

India, however, refuted Trump’s claim that he and PM Modi had such a chat.

Also read: US Action in Venezuela: What It Means for India’s Stock Market, Oil Bill, and Economy

India has consistently insisted that its policies are determined by market offers and the demands of Indian consumers, notwithstanding the Trump administration’s continued resistance to the Russian oil issue.

Trump’s most recent comments on the subject may cause the diplomatic relationship between the US and India to deteriorate further.

After the tariffs were imposed, there was a brief improvement in relations as Trump declared that he would “always be friends” with Modi and mentioned their “special relationship.” In exchange, Prime Minister Modi said he “appreciated” the US leader’s favorable evaluation of the relationship.

The largest source of oil for India is Russia. In the past, a number of Trump administration officials have claimed that India has been “profiteering” and “making billions” from the resale of the oil, and that Russia uses the money from this oil trade to sustain the conflict in Ukraine. Many people believed that Trump’s heavy tariffs on India were an attempt to coerce Putin into stopping the war in Ukraine.