Trump: Close to Modi, yet sanctioned India tariffs.
The Trump administration announced a steep 50 per cent tariff on India, combining regular trade duties with an additional 25 per cent punitive levy tied to New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil, signaling sharp tensions despite strong personal ties.
Washington/London: U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday declared that while he shares a close personal relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his administration has nonetheless decided to impose steep tariffs on India — a move driven by New Delhi’s ongoing imports of Russian crude oil.
Speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the historic Chequers estate in Buckinghamshire, Trump underscored both the warmth of his ties with Modi and the hard line his administration has taken on India’s energy trade.
“I’m very close to India. I’m very close to the Prime Minister of India,” Trump said. “I spoke to him the other day to wish him a Happy Birthday. But I sanctioned them.”
The remarks highlighted Trump’s unique diplomatic style — blending praise, personal rapport, and tough policy decisions in the same breath. Despite his friendly tone, the new tariff measures are among the most severe the United States has ever levied against India.
According to the administration, Washington is imposing a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods. Half of that, a punitive 25 percent levy, is specifically tied to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude, which the U.S. sees as a lifeline helping Moscow sustain its war in Ukraine.
Trump defended the move as a necessary step to undercut Russia’s revenues from energy exports. “We want to drop the price of Russian oil,” he explained. “If the price collapses, they won’t be able to fund their war. That’s the goal.”
The announcement immediately sparked debate in both Washington and New Delhi. For Trump, the tariffs serve two purposes: applying pressure on Russia through secondary sanctions, and signaling to India that even close allies are expected to align with U.S. strategic priorities.
For India, however, the decision could complicate an already delicate balancing act. New Delhi has tried to maintain strong ties with both the West and Moscow, relying heavily on discounted Russian oil imports to manage domestic energy costs. Officials in India have previously argued that their purchases from Russia are a matter of national interest and energy security.
Still, Trump’s comments suggested that his personal relationship with Modi remains intact. His decision to emphasize birthday greetings and warm exchanges, even while unveiling punishing tariffs, was a reminder of the dual-track approach that has defined much of his foreign policy — friendship on one hand, hard-nosed economic pressure on the other.
Analysts note that the measure could test India’s willingness to further diversify its oil imports away from Russia. Some also believe that Trump’s strategy is aimed at reshaping the global oil market to the United States’ advantage, forcing Moscow to sell at lower prices while opening opportunities for U.S. producers.
At Chequers, Trump struck a confident tone. “It’s not about hurting India,” he insisted. “It’s about ending the war in Ukraine. And that means hitting Russia where it hurts the most — its oil.”
Whether this tariff gamble deepens the partnership with India or strains it remains to be seen. What is clear is that Trump is willing to wield economic pressure even against close friends, convinced that the global stakes justify the cost.