Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified that President Donald Trump’s displeasure with India stems from broader geopolitical concerns, not solely its purchase of Russian oil. In a revealing interview with Fox Radio, Rubio stated that India's continued energy trade with Russia plays a role in stabilizing Moscow’s military efforts in Ukraine, which has become a point of serious concern for the US.
"India’s energy demands are vast and legitimate, and like any major economy, it needs affordable access to petrol, gas, and coal. But the decision to procure these resources from Russia where prices are slashed due to Western sanctions has unintended consequences," Rubio said. "By continuing these transactions, India is indirectly helping Russia sustain its war against Ukraine."
Rubio emphasized that while the US acknowledges India’s right to energy security, the choice of supplier at this critical geopolitical juncture affects global dynamics. "This isn’t the only issue between our countries, but it is a significant factor complicating our cooperation," he added.
Trump’s growing impatience over the India-Russia oil relationship has been evident in recent weeks, culminating in a social media post where he accused India of bolstering a “dead economy” and justified new trade penalties. “India buys most of its military equipment from Russia and continues to strengthen its ties despite global efforts to isolate Moscow,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that a 25% tariff and additional penalties on Indian goods would come into effect from August 1.
The sharp rhetoric follows Trump’s executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs of 10% to 41% on over 70 countries, with India facing one of the harshest hikes. The White House claims the move aims to correct long-standing trade imbalances and penalize nations whose practices, in Trump’s words, “undermine America’s strategic interests.”
India, however, has consistently defended its energy trade policy. In earlier responses to Western pressure, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar argued that “Europe’s problems are not automatically the world’s problems” and insisted that India would prioritize its national interests.
Rubio’s remarks, while softer in tone than Trump’s, reinforce the message that Washington is watching India’s economic ties with Russia closely. Though US-India relations remain robust in areas like technology, defense cooperation, and regional security, this latest development underlines the growing friction points in an increasingly complex global order.