US President Donald Trump has once again threatened India. He clearly said that if India continues to buy oil from Russia, it will have to pay heavy tariffs. Trump once again reiterated that he has received assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that New Delhi is going to stop buying oil from Moscow.
Trump said this while talking to reporters in the Air Force One plane. It is noteworthy that he was replying to a question regarding India’s recent comments on oil purchase from Russia.
India last week said it was “broadening and diversifying” energy sources in line with market conditions. Just hours before this, Trump had claimed that Modi had assured him that New Delhi would stop buying crude oil from Russia.
Trump said that he does not think India has made any such comment. The US President further said, “But I don’t think he has said that. No, I have spoken to Indian Prime Minister Modi and he has said that he will not play any role in the Russian oil matter.”
Washington says India is helping Putin finance the war through purchases of Russian crude.
Relations between New Delhi and Washington are under severe strain after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, including an additional 25 percent duty on India’s purchases of Russian crude.
India described the US action as “unwarranted, unfair and imprudent”.