Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has warned India once again that if it keeps importing Russian oil, Washington will increase tariffs on New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi “knew he was not happy,” he said, and New Delhi sought to “make him happy.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump stated, “We could raise tariffs on India if they don’t help on the Russian oil issue.”
India has significantly decreased its oil purchases from Russia, according to the U.S. commander in chief.
“Basically, they wanted to make me happy… PM Modi is an excellent individual. He’s a decent man. He was aware of my unhappiness. Making me happy was vital. They engage in commerce, and we can swiftly increase duties on them,” he continued.
The Timing of Trump
While India has justified its oil purchases as necessary for domestic energy security, Trump’s latest warning coincides with increased scrutiny in Washington regarding New Delhi’s energy relationship with Russia. The statements also coincide with a phone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, in which both leaders emphasized the significance of sustaining momentum in bilateral trade ties amid persistent tariff-related issues.
In an effort to end the protracted trade standoff, Indian and US officials began a new round of negotiations at the same time as the call. Discussions started earlier this year, but they were interrupted when the US levied tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods.
In the midst of protracted trade negotiations, the US Embassy in India recently cited Trump’s admiration for Prime Minister Modi. Trump called India “an amazing country” and said that Modi is “a great friend” of the United States in a social media post.
One of the oldest civilizations in the world is found in India. It is a fantastic nation and a crucial strategic ally of the United States in the Indo-Pacific area. He wrote, “PM Modi is a terrific friend.
Pay Attention to Oil
The US attack on Venezuela has once again elevated the oil problem to the top of the geopolitical agenda. With approximately 303 billion barrels of oil, Venezuela has the greatest proven oil reserves in the world.
However, underinvestment and US sanctions have reduced production to one million barrels per day. According to OPEC data, Venezuela has the greatest proven oil reserves in the world (estimated at over 300 billion barrels), which account for over 17% of the world’s total oil supply.
