US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to India over its continued imports of Russian oil, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his displeasure and stressing that Washington could respond swiftly with higher tariffs.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday (local time), Trump said it was important for India to remain mindful of US concerns on the issue.
“PM Modi’s a very good man. He’s a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump said.
Trump’s remarks come amid renewed global focus on energy geopolitics following recent US military action involving Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Venezuela’s reserves are estimated at over 300 billion barrels—about 17 per cent of global oil reserves, according to OPEC data—but its production has fallen to around one million barrels per day due to US sanctions and years of underinvestment.
The US President’s warning also comes as scrutiny grows in Washington over India’s energy trade with Russia. New Delhi has consistently defended its oil purchases, saying they are vital for ensuring domestic energy security.
The comments were made just weeks after Trump and Prime Minister Modi held a telephonic conversation in which both leaders emphasised the need to sustain momentum in bilateral trade ties despite ongoing tariff-related tensions. The call coincided with the launch of a fresh round of negotiations between Indian and US officials aimed at resolving the long-standing trade impasse.
Only days before the conversation with Modi, Trump had threatened to impose new tariffs on Indian rice imports. The warning followed complaints raised by a US farmer representative at a White House roundtable, who alleged dumping by India, China and Thailand.
