US President Donald Trump has dismissed India’s point that the US itself imports uranium, palladium, fertilisers, and chemicals from Russia while criticising New Delhi for doing business with Moscow. “I don’t know anything about it… we’ll get back to you,” Trump told reporters when asked about the claim.
Trump last week imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports and warned of further hikes, accusing India of being one of Russia’s largest energy buyers. India has called the move “unjustified and unreasonable,” stressing it will protect its national interests and that its defence and energy purchases are based on strategic and market realities.
Indian-American Republican leader Nikki Haley publicly backed India, calling it a “strong ally” and urging Trump not to give China — the largest buyer of Russian oil — a pass while penalising New Delhi.
India imported $50.2 billion worth of Russian oil in 2024–25, mainly because traditional suppliers diverted to Europe after the Ukraine war began in 2022.
