Following India’s purchase of oil from Russia, the Trump administration imposed heavy tariffs on India, drawing significant criticism. US strategic affairs expert Ashley J. Tellis suggests that Trump feels betrayed because he did not receive credit for resolving the India-Pakistan dispute in May 2025. In an interview, Tellis highlighted that while policy disagreements regarding India’s Russian oil purchases are possible, the situation may also involve a deeper sense of grievance. Trump, according to Tellis, believes he was denied the recognition he deserved for his role in the India-Pakistan dispute. Tellis also commented that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempts to rectify the situation may have exacerbated, rather than alleviated, the tension. The imposition of tariffs on Indian goods, escalating to 50%, and a 25% secondary tariff on oil imports have negatively impacted trade talks between the two countries. The current US tariffs on Indian exports are among the highest, second only to those imposed on Brazil. Tellis observed that Trump’s focus on India stems from his belief that he was not given due credit for his efforts to bring peace between India and Pakistan. China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, imported $62.6 billion worth of Russian oil in 2024, compared to India’s $52.7 billion. Despite this, Trump’s criticism has been disproportionately directed at India, overlooking China’s significant role. Tellis also criticized Trump’s trade advisor, Peter Navarro, asserting that Navarro has damaged relations between Delhi and Washington, forcing India to align with some of America’s adversaries. The US government has strongly reacted to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil, arguing that it finances Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine, a conflict Trump failed to end despite previously claiming he could do so quickly.
