India Financing Russia's War In Ukraine: US President Trump's Key Aide

Stephen Miller conveyed Trump's demand for India to halt oil purchases from Russia, amidst threatened tariffs. Despite US concerns, India remains committed to its oil imports, highlighting the tensions in US-India relations.

A key aide of US President Donald Trump has accused India of funding Russia's war in Ukraine by buying oil from Moscow, according to a report in Reuters.

Stephen Miller, a key advisor to Donald Trump, has expressed that Trump firmly believes India should cease its oil purchases from Russia. He stated, "What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing oil from Russia." Despite this pressure, India remains steadfast in its decision to continue these imports.

On July 30, Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods. He also warned of possible penalties due to India's ongoing purchase of Russian arms and oil. Following the tariff announcement, Trump criticised New Delhi's relationship with Moscow, dismissing both as "dead economies" and stating he "does not care" about India's dealings with Russia.

US-India Relations Strained Over Oil

Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, also voiced concerns over India's increasing ties with Moscow. While acknowledging India as a "strategic partner," he pointed out that its continued oil trade with Russia is causing friction in US-India relations. This growing partnership between New Delhi and Moscow has become a significant issue for the United States.

India's oil imports from Russia have surged significantly over recent years. Before the Ukraine conflict in 2021, only 3% of India's oil came from Russia. This figure has now increased dramatically to between 35% and 40% of its total oil imports, according to the Reuters report.

Trump's Tariff Threats

Trump has indicated he might impose tariffs as high as 100% on imports from countries continuing to buy Russian oil unless Russia agrees to a peace deal with Ukraine. This stance underscores his administration's efforts to exert pressure on nations maintaining economic ties with Moscow.

Miller tempered his criticism by highlighting Trump's positive relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He described their rapport as "tremendous," suggesting that personal diplomacy might play a role in navigating these complex geopolitical issues.

The deputy chief of staff expressed surprise at the extent of India's oil trade with Russia. On Fox News, he remarked, "People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That's an astonishing fact." Despite such comments, India shows no signs of altering its course regarding these purchases.