Archive · 6 Jan 2026
Trump Links Tensions with Modi to Russian Oil
US President Donald Trump said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unhappy with him because India is buying a lot of oil from Russia.
The US has put high taxes on Indian goods because of this.
India says it needs to buy Russian oil to keep fuel prices low for its people.
The US wants India to stop buying Russian oil, but India says it won't.
Meanwhile, India's use of fuel is at its highest ever, with a big increase in December.
The US and India are trying to make a trade deal, but it's hard because of the high taxes.
US President Donald Trump claims Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unhappy with him due to high tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil.
India defends its decision to buy Russian crude, citing national interest and the need to keep fuel affordable.
The US has doubled import tariffs on Indian goods to 50% and threatens to raise them further if India does not comply.
India's fuel consumption hit a record high in December, with a 5.3% year-on-year increase.
India is the largest buyer of discounted Russian seaborne crude, leading to criticism from the US.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- Tensions over Indian purchases of Russian oil and US tariffs on Indian goods
- When
- Ongoing, with recent remarks by Trump
- Where
- United States and India
- Why
- The US is trying to limit Russia's energy revenues and reduce its trade deficit with India, while India prioritizes energy security and affordable fuel.
United States
India
Russian Oil Imports
United States
The US is pressuring India to reduce its purchases of Russian oil, imposing high tariffs on Indian goods as a punitive measure.
India
India defends its decision to buy Russian crude, citing national interest and the need to keep fuel affordable for its citizens.
Trade Tariffs
United States
The US has doubled import tariffs on Indian goods to 50% and threatens to raise them further if India does not comply with its demands.
India
India is negotiating a trade agreement with the US but faces uncertainty due to the high tariffs imposed by the US.
- US President
- Donald Trump
- Indian Prime Minister
- Narendra Modi
- US Tariffs on Indian Goods
- 50%
- India's Russian Oil Purchases
- Largest buyer of discounted Russian seaborne crude
- India's Fuel Demand in December
- 21.75 million metric tons
- Year-on-Year Increase in Fuel Demand
- 5.3%
- Gasoline Consumption in December
- 3.56 million metric tons
- Diesel Consumption in December
- 8.46 million tons
Sources
Top 10 countries with largest oil reserves in 2025: Venezuela leads the world, here’s where Middle East, US and India rank
US-Venezuela tensions unlikely to disrupt global oil supply, limited impact seen on India: BoB Report
India's fuel demand hits highest on record in December
‘Modi is not happy with me,’ US President Trump links tensions to Russian oil, high tariffs
