White House: Trump Sanctions on India to End Russia-Ukraine War
New Delhi has further argued that it was encouraged by the US itself in the early phase of the Ukraine conflict to buy Russian oil in order to stabilise global energy markets.
New Delhi/Washington/New York: United States President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on India in an effort to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday.
The measures include tariffs totalling 50 per cent on India, with 25 per cent specifically targeting Indian imports of Russian oil, set to take effect from August 27. Responding to a question at a press briefing, Leavitt said President Trump has put “tremendous public pressure” to bring the nearly four-year war “to a close.” She added, “He has taken actions, as you’ve seen, sanctions on India and other actions as well. He has made it very clear that he wants to see this war end… The President wants to move and bring this war to an end as quickly as possible.”
Earlier on Tuesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent launched a strong attack on India, defending the decision not to impose a similar 25 per cent penalty tariff on China, despite it importing more Russian oil than India. “India is just profiteering, they are reselling… They made 16 billion in excess profits, some of the richest families in India. This is completely different. Indian arbitrage—buying cheap oil and reselling it, sprung up during the [Ukraine] war. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Bessent noted that China’s dependence on Russian oil had risen only modestly from 13 per cent before the invasion to 16 per cent now, whereas India’s share had surged from less than 1 per cent to 42 per cent.
New Delhi, however, has consistently defended its position. It maintains that while India traditionally sourced oil from Gulf nations, prices spiked once Europe shifted its purchases there after cutting off Russian supplies. India argues that buying Russian oil at competitive rates is vital to ensure its energy security.
Earlier this month, India criticised Washington’s move, calling the tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” It warned that it would “take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.” India also pointed out that its oil imports are “based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people.”
New Delhi has further argued that it was encouraged by the US itself in the early phase of the Ukraine conflict to buy Russian oil in order to stabilise global energy markets. “India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market conditions. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves continuing trade with Russia—unlike our case, theirs is not even a vital national compulsion,” India said.
