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Amid Trump’s Tariff Threats, Vows to Continue Russian Oil Imports
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Despite US pressure, India asserts economic independence as Modi defends local industry and Russian oil ties
In a bold response to US President Donald Trump’s imposition of 25% tariffs and threats of further penalties over India’s trade with Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has doubled down on his ‘Make in India’ message and reaffirmed India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. Speaking at a public rally, Modi urged citizens to prioritise locally made products, even as international tensions grow over India’s global trade choices, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
At a public rally in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, PM Modi strongly defended India’s domestic interests in the face of growing global instability. “The world economy is going through many apprehensions — there is an atmosphere of instability. Now, whatever we buy, there should be only one scale: we will buy those things which have been made by the sweat of an Indian,” Modi said, clearly alluding to the latest US tariff hike.
The rally followed Trump’s recent criticism of India’s BRICS involvement and continued oil trade with Russia. Trump had warned that countries like India “can take their dead economies down together” if they continued to align with what he called anti-US blocs. The White House also hinted at possible further trade restrictions if India didn’t fall in line on Russian oil imports.
“We’ll buy only what’s made by the sweat of Indians,” says PM Modi as US signals further penalties over Russian oil trade
Modi’s renewed push for ‘Swadeshi’ aligns with his long-standing ‘Make in India’ programme, which has gained renewed relevance as trade tensions with the US rise. He stated, “The interests of our farmers, our small industries and the employment of our youth are of paramount importance.”
India’s Russian Oil Trade Continues Despite Western Criticism
Bloomberg reported that the Indian government has not issued any directives to halt crude oil imports from Russia. Officials confirmed that both state-run and private refineries continue to operate freely, with crude procurement decisions left to business discretion. Two Indian officials told The New York Times that India would not bow to US pressure and would keep buying Russian oil.
Since the onset of the Ukraine war, India has emerged as a top buyer of Russian seaborne crude, increasing its share to about one-third of total oil imports — driven by discounted prices. This stance has attracted criticism from the US and EU, which accuse Indian refiners of indirectly aiding Moscow’s war efforts.
However, India maintains that its foreign policy is sovereign and independent. “Our relationships are not at the expense of others. They stand on their own merit,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
India continues to see Russia as a “steady and time-tested partner,” particularly given historical arms cooperation dating back to the Cold War.
US Wants India to ‘Get Real’ as Trade Talks Loom
Trump’s diplomatic tone marks a significant shift from previous administrations that viewed India as a strategic counterbalance to China. According to Bloomberg, Trump’s aggressive posture is now focused on isolating Putin — even if it comes at the cost of undermining US-India ties.
Stephen Miller, Trump’s former deputy chief of staff, accused India of imposing high tariffs on US goods and manipulating immigration frameworks, while also purchasing Russian oil in volumes comparable to China.
“President Trump, he wants a tremendous relationship and has always had a tremendous relationship with India and the Prime Minister,” Miller said. “But we need to get real about dealing with the financing of this war.”
Despite the friction, American trade negotiators are expected to visit New Delhi later in August. Indian officials confirmed that their stance on protecting the agriculture and dairy sectors from US market access would remain firm, given domestic political and religious sensitivities.
