US President Donald Trump has again threatened India to raise tariffs if it doesn’t address the issue of Russian oil imports. India is already facing 50% tariffs by the US as a punishment for its heavy purchasing of Russian oil. Talks have been going between India and the USA over a potential trade deal. India became the biggest buyer of discounted Russian crude oil in 2022, following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. The US has been critical of India buying Russian oil, arguing that oil revenues help fund Moscow’s war effort.
Russian oil issue
Many countries have succeeded in securing trade deals with the US, but no breakthrough has emerged after talks between New Delhi and Washington. Negotiations collapsed in late July, when India denied Trump’s role in mediating India- Pakistan conflict and resisted opening its market for U.S. farm products. India continues to buy Russian oil as it is vital to India’s energy security.
Russian oil imports at six-month high
India’s Russian oil imports were at a six-month high in November in terms of volume and value in November 2025, latest data show. Along with this, there was also an increase in American oil purchase, which jumped to a seven-month high in November 2025. Together Russian and American oil imports were nearly half of India’s total oil imports in November 2025.
