- By Shivangi Sharma
- Mon, 01 Sep 2025 07:50 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO Summit, US President Donald Trump accused India of imposing some of the highest tariffs on American businesses, branding the situation a “totally one-sided disaster.”
He further alleged that India remains heavily dependent on Russia for oil and military imports while doing “very little” trade with the United States. Acknowledging India’s recent offer to cut tariffs to zero, Trump argued that the move comes “too late,” insisting such steps should have been taken years earlier.
US President also criticised India’s deepening trade ties with Moscow. He noted that India buys “most of its oil and military products from Russia, very little from the US” According to Trump, this imbalance directly undermines Washington’s trade interests and security concerns, particularly at a time when the West is seeking to isolate Moscow.
Trump’s comments come against the backdrop of escalating tariff tensions. On July 31, the US announced a 25 per cent tariff on all commodities imported from India. Just days later, on August 6, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff. He justified the move by accusing India of importing Russian oil and thereby fueling the Kremlin’s “war machine.”
Strained Bilateral Ties
The sharp escalation in tariff disputes has cast a shadow over India-US relations. A bilateral trade agreement (BTA), which was expected to be finalised by fall this year, has now hit a major roadblock.
Adding to the strain, Trump has reportedly called off his planned visit to New Delhi, where he was scheduled to attend the Quad Leaders Summit and sign the long-pending trade deal. According to The New York Times, the cancellation signals Washington’s frustration with New Delhi’s stance on tariffs and Russian oil imports.
