Washington, D.C.: US President Donald Trump has issued a new warning to India over its continued imports of Russian oil, suggesting he could impose tariffs if New Delhi does not address Washington’s concerns. Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his displeasure on the issue.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday (local time), Trump emphasized the importance of India keeping him happy regarding its Russian oil imports. “PM Modi is a very good man. He’s a good guy. He knew I wasn’t happy. It was important to keep me happy. They do business, and we could put tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump said.
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The US offensive against Venezuela has once again brought oil to the forefront of global geopolitics. Venezuela possesses vast oil reserves, estimated at over 303 billion barrels, making it the world’s largest proven reserve. However, due to US sanctions and years of underinvestment, production has plummeted to approximately 1 million barrels per day.
According to OPEC data, Venezuela’s reserves account for roughly 17 percent of global oil supply, underscoring the strategic importance of energy resources amidst current geopolitical tensions.
Trump’s warning to India comes amid increasing scrutiny in Washington over New Delhi’s energy trade with Russia, while India has defended its oil purchases as necessary for domestic energy security.
These remarks follow a recent telephone conversation between Trump and Prime Minister Modi, during which the two leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in bilateral trade relations despite ongoing tariff-related tensions.
The call coincided with the start of a new round of talks between Indian and US officials aimed at resolving the long-standing trade impasse. Just days before speaking with Modi, Trump had threatened to impose new tariffs on Indian rice imports. This warning came after complaints from a US farmer representative at a White House roundtable, who accused India, China, and Thailand of dumping.
