India-Russia Oil Trade: Moscow Offers 5% Discount As Trump Imposes Tariffs

Russia has announced that it will continue supplying crude oil to India at a 5% discount despite growing pressure from the United States and newly imposed tariffs. The announcement comes after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday that President Donald Trump had introduced tariffs on Indian goods in an effort to deter Moscow from pursuing the Ukraine conflict.

Deputy Trade Representative of Russia to India, Evgeniy Griva, said that Indian refiners will receive around a 5% discount on Russian crude purchases, subject to negotiations. "Despite the political situation, India will continue importing approximately the same level of oil. Discounts are generally a commercial matter, but usually around 5%, fluctuating slightly," Griva stated.

He was joined by Roman Babushkin, Russian Deputy Chief of Mission, who acknowledged the difficulties posed by the current geopolitical environment but stressed that Moscow trusted its long-standing ties with New Delhi. "We are confident that India-Russia energy cooperation will continue, notwithstanding external pressure," Babushkin said.

Meanwhile, the United States has sharply criticised India's ongoing oil trade with Russia. Washington has accused New Delhi of indirectly funding Moscow's war in Ukraine by purchasing Russian crude. As part of its response, the US has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports linked to Russian oil transactions.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro argued that India has become a "global clearinghouse" for Russian crude, refining embargoed oil into high-value exports while providing Moscow with the dollars it needs to sustain its war effort.