US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) reiterated that he shares a good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but acknowledged that the Indian leader is unhappy over the high tariffs imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil.
Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump discussed his exchanges with PM Modi on US defence sales and tariff measures, suggesting that while bilateral relations remain cordial, the tariff issue has created strain.
“I have a very good relationship with PM Modi, but he is not happy with me because India is paying high tariffs. But now they have reduced it very substantially, buying oil from Russia,” Trump said.
The tariffs, totalling 50 per cent, were imposed due to India’s large-scale purchases of Russian crude, which Washington views as indirectly supporting Russia’s economy amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Trump’s remarks came a day after he warned that the United States could further raise tariffs on Indian goods if New Delhi does not address American concerns over Russian oil imports.
“They wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy,” Trump said.
Defending the tariff policy, Trump claimed the United States was benefiting financially from the measures and justified them as part of Washington’s broader pressure campaign related to the Russia-Ukraine war.
He has repeatedly accused India of strengthening Moscow by purchasing discounted Russian crude and has cited this as the basis for sharply higher duties on Indian exports. Trump has also linked tariff pressure to influencing India’s policy choices, asserting that New Delhi was aware of his dissatisfaction and sought to maintain stable trade relations.
At the same time, Trump has positioned himself as a potential mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though without any concrete breakthrough so far.
Earlier, India rejected Trump’s claim that PM Modi had assured him New Delhi would stop buying Russian oil, clarifying that no such assurance or conversation had taken place. (Agencies)
