On August 15, 2025, in Alaska, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met warmly, signaling improved US-Russia relations despite ongoing tensions over Ukraine. However, this meeting did not ease the US's tough stance on India, which faces increased tariffs on Russian oil imports.
From August 27, 2025, India will be subject to a 50% tariff on Russian oil imports, doubling the previous 25% tariff. This move comes despite hopes that the Trump-Putin meeting might lead to tariff relief for India. The US administration, represented by White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, criticized India for purchasing discounted Russian oil and refining it for global sale, accusing India of indirectly supporting Russia's actions in Ukraine. Navarro's comments appeared in a Financial Times article published on August 18, 2025.
Navarro stated, "American consumers are buying Indian goods, and India is using those dollars to buy cheap Russian oil. India has become a silent partner in Russia's aggression against Ukraine." He urged India to align its behavior with its aspirations to be seen as a strategic partner by the US.
Experts and analysts note that the Trump administration's strict policy towards India is less about oil and more about political pride and diplomatic tensions between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pakistani political analyst Parvez Hudbhai suggested the tariff escalation stems from a clash of egos, particularly over credit for ceasefire efforts in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Russia appears to benefit from the US-India tensions. Analysts from think tanks such as the Brookings Institution and Ananta Centre warn that worsening US-India relations could push India closer to Russia and China, potentially increasing India's activity in non-US-led international groups like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Delhi-based Associate Professor Dr. Rajan Kumar of Jawaharlal Nehru University highlighted the diplomatic challenge for India, stating, "India faces increasing pressure to choose sides, which is not in its interest. India cannot abandon Russia for the US nor align solely with Russia." He pointed to India's upcoming visit to China for the SCO summit as evidence of India's intent to engage more actively with non-Western powers despite recent border conflicts.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Indian Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on August 19, 2025, before traveling to Pakistan for strategic talks, underscoring the complex regional dynamics. Indian strategic expert Brahma Chellaney noted China's support to Pakistan during recent India-Pakistan military clashes, including real-time intelligence sharing.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had warned India before the Trump-Putin meeting that failure to improve relations with the US could lead to increased tariffs and urged European allies to join in pressuring India.
In summary, the US's firm tariff policy on India, announced and reinforced in August 2025, benefits Russia by maintaining pressure on India over its Russian oil imports. The Trump-Putin rapport appears to sideline India's interests, complicating India's diplomatic balancing act amid US-Russia-China rivalries.
