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**The Hindu: US Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Purchase Cause Diplomatic Rift**

**New York/Washington – August 25, 2025:** Tensions between the United States and India are escalating following the Trump administration’s imposition of “aggressive economic leverage,” including secondary tariffs, on India for its continued purchase of discounted Russian crude oil. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance revealed the measures during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, August 24, 2025, stating the goal was to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine.

The Trump administration, while not criticizing China’s larger imports of Russian crude, alleges that India’s purchases are indirectly funding the war effort. India maintains that its energy procurement decisions are driven by national interest and market dynamics, especially in light of Western sanctions against Moscow following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

“Mr. Trump had applied ‘aggressive economic leverage,’ for example ‘secondary tariffs on India, to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy,” Vance said. “He tried to make it clear that Russia can be reinvited into the world economy if they stop the killing. But they are going to continue to be isolated if they don’t stop the killing,” he said.

In April 2025, while in Jaipur, Mr. Vance urged India to drop non-tariff barriers, give greater access to its markets and buy more American energy and military hardware.

The increased tariffs, including a 25% additional duty on Russian crude, have significantly strained relations between New Delhi and Washington. This marks a sharp downturn since President Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50%.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the U.S. criticism on Saturday, August 23, 2025. “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business,” he said. “That’s really curious. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it.”

While Vance expressed confidence that the U.S. can still broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, the imposition of these tariffs and India’s strong response suggest a potentially protracted period of strained diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.

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