Trump Says India Cut Russian Oil Purchases to 'Make Me Happy' Amid US Trade Tensions
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US President Donald Trump claimed that India reduced its purchases of Russian oil to appease him, warning that Washington could quickly impose higher tariffs on New Delhi if it doesn't comply with US demands. Speaking alongside US Senator Lindsey Graham on Sunday, Trump stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi knew he was unhappy with India's continued purchase of Russian oil. Graham credited Trump's 25% tariff on India as a key reason for the decline in Russian energy purchases. "I was at the Indian Ambassador's house a month ago, and all he wanted to talk about was how they're buying less Russian oil," Graham said, quoting private conversations with Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra. However, recent data from the Indian Commerce Ministry shows that Indian oil purchases from Russia rose to $3.72 billion in November. Analysts expect US sanctions on Russian energy majors to impact Indian energy purchases. In contrast, Indian oil purchases from the US increased to $1.44 billion in November, as part of an earlier commitment to raise energy purchases from the US to $25 billion. Indian public sector oil companies signed a one-year deal with US energy majors for the import of 2.2 million tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Senator Graham advocated for the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, which proposes steep 500% American tariffs on goods and services exports from countries that purchase Russian-origin oil and natural gas. The bill also pushes for expanded sanctions against Russian businesses and top policymakers.
