A senior aide to United States President Donald Trump has publicly accused India of effectively financing Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine by continuing to purchase oil from Moscow, in a significant escalation of Washington’s pressure campaign on New Delhi.
Stephen Miller, the President’s deputy chief of staff and a key figure in the Trump White House, made the remarks during an interview broadcast on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures on 3 August. Miller stated that President Trump had been explicit in his view that India’s continued energy trade with Russia was “not acceptable”.
“What he [Trump] said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia,” Miller said.
The comments follow the imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian imports, which came into effect on 1 August. The White House has linked the move directly to India’s continued procurement of Russian military equipment and oil.
Trump has also signalled the possibility of raising tariffs to 100% on imports from countries that maintain energy ties with Russia, unless Moscow agrees to a comprehensive peace deal with Ukraine.
Miller characterised India’s role in the global oil market as central to sustaining Russian revenue streams, claiming that the country’s imports of Russian crude were on par with those of China.
“People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact,” he added.
The Indian government has yet to issue a formal response to Miller’s comments. However, sources within the Indian administration told Reuters on 2 August that New Delhi intends to continue its purchases of Russian oil despite U.S. warnings. Indian officials have consistently framed the policy as driven by economic and energy security concerns, rather than geopolitical alignment.
India’s imports of Russian crude have increased substantially since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Prior to the war, Russian oil accounted for less than 1% of India’s overall crude imports. By 2024, Russia had become one of India’s top energy suppliers, offering discounted rates amid Western sanctions.
The remarks from Miller represent some of the most direct criticism to date from the Trump administration of India, which has otherwise been described by Washington as a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region. The relationship has been underpinned by shared concerns about China and efforts to strengthen cooperation through platforms such as the Quad.
Despite the harsh tone of the remarks, Miller emphasised that the broader bilateral relationship remains intact. He described the personal rapport between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “tremendous”.
The issue of Russian energy purchases is part of a broader reorientation of U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s second term, which has placed a strong emphasis on economic leverage and transactional diplomacy. The administration has used tariffs and trade access as tools to influence foreign policy outcomes, particularly in relation to the war in Ukraine.
India has so far declined to join Western-led sanctions on Russia and has continued to engage Moscow diplomatically, economically, and in the defence sector. Its position reflects a longstanding commitment to strategic autonomy, as well as reliance on Russia for a significant share of its military equipment and hydrocarbon imports.
The imposition of tariffs has already drawn criticism from Indian business groups and is expected to affect a range of export categories, including pharmaceuticals, garments, and automotive components. Analysts expect retaliatory measures from New Delhi may be under consideration.
The Trump administration’s moves also come against a backdrop of heightened military activity in Ukraine. Russian missile and drone attacks have continued across Ukrainian cities far from the front lines. At the same time, President Trump recently stated that he had ordered two U.S. nuclear submarines to deploy to “appropriate regions” in response to Russian nuclear threats.
It remains unclear whether the pressure on India will lead to a shift in policy, but the administration’s approach suggests that energy ties with Russia will remain a key factor in determining U.S. trade relations with third countries. Further measures, including expanded tariffs or export restrictions, may follow if India continues to resist demands to scale back its imports from Russia.
Trump Announces 25% Tariff on Indian Imports as Trade Talks Collapse
