U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly stated that his relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains good, but acknowledged that the Indian leader is “not happy” with the steep tariffs Washington has imposed on India in connection with its purchases of Russian crude. Speaking at a gathering of Republican lawmakers, Trump said India has reduced its Russian oil imports “very substantially,” yet the tariff issue continues to be a source of tension between the two nations.

Key Highlights

• Donald Trump said Prime Minister Modi is unhappy over US tariffs linked to India’s Russian oil imports.
• Remarks highlight ongoing trade tensions despite strong diplomatic ties between India and the United States.

Trump has maintained that the tariffs—already raised to around 50 % on certain Indian imports, including a 25 % levy linked to Russian oil purchases—are meant to pressure India to align more closely with U.S. energy and geopolitical aims. He stressed that while his ties with Modi are strong, the tariff stance has caused dissatisfaction on the Indian side, and hinted that Washington could increase duties even further if friction over energy trade persists.

Also Read: Trump Signals Possible New Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil

The remarks come amid broader India–U.S. trade discussions and diplomatic engagement, with Trump also mentioning other aspects of bilateral cooperation, including defence equipment deliveries. New Delhi has consistently said that its energy policy decisions are driven by market realities and national interests, and has denied any formal commitment to cease purchasing energy from Russia.

The situation highlights ongoing trade and geopolitical complexities between the two democracies, as both continue to navigate strategic priorities, energy security, and economic ties in a shifting global landscape.