New Delhi — India has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total duty to 50%, in retaliation for New Delhi’s continued oil trade with Russia. The move marks a significant escalation in trade tensions between the two nations.
In a strongly worded statement issued Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the tariff as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” and warned that India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.
The executive order signed by Trump specifically targets countries seen as “directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” and singles out India for continuing to do business with Russia despite Western sanctions.
“The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia,” the MEA said. “We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India.”
India reiterated that it is not alone in such trade practices, highlighting that several other countries have also continued importing Russian oil to protect their energy supply chains.
“It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” the statement added.
The tariffs are scheduled to come into effect within three weeks, intensifying pressure on India’s export-driven sectors just as both countries were seeking to deepen trade and defence cooperation.
Analysts say the move may trigger retaliatory measures from New Delhi and complicate diplomatic efforts to balance strategic ties with both Washington and Moscow amid ongoing geopolitical shifts.
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