World News
‘PM Modi Knew I Was Not Happy’: Donald Trump Warns of Tariffs if India Continues Russian Oil Imports
US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a fresh warning to India, signalling the possibility of higher tariffs if New Delhi continues importing crude oil from Russia. Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his displeasure on the issue and underscored that maintaining US approval was important in bilateral trade relations.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a fresh warning to India, signalling the possibility of higher tariffs if New Delhi continues importing crude oil from Russia. Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his displeasure on the issue and underscored that maintaining US approval was important in bilateral trade relations.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “PM Modi is 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.”
The remarks come amid renewed geopolitical focus on energy markets following the US military operation in Venezuela, which has once again highlighted the strategic importance of global oil supplies.
Trump’s comments reflect growing scrutiny in Washington over India’s energy trade with Russia, even as New Delhi has consistently defended its oil purchases as essential for domestic energy security and price stability. Since the Ukraine conflict, India has significantly increased imports of discounted Russian crude, drawing criticism from Western countries.
The US President’s warning also coincides with ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States. Just weeks ago, Trump and Modi held a telephonic conversation during which both leaders stressed the need to maintain momentum in bilateral trade ties despite tariff-related tensions. That call aligned with the launch of a fresh round of talks between Indian and US officials aimed at resolving long-standing trade disputes.
Only days before that conversation, Trump had threatened to impose new tariffs on Indian rice imports, following complaints from a US farmer representative at a White House roundtable alleging dumping by India, China and Thailand.
Meanwhile, developments in Venezuela have brought oil geopolitics into sharp focus. The country holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at over 300 billion barrels, accounting for roughly 17 per cent of global reserves, according to OPEC data. However, Venezuelan oil production has fallen sharply to around 1 million barrels per day due to prolonged US sanctions and underinvestment.
Analysts say Trump’s remarks signal a hardening US stance linking trade policy with geopolitical alignment, particularly on energy sourcing, at a time when India and the US are seeking to balance strategic partnership with economic interests.
