New Delhi: US Vice President JD Vance has defended President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian imports, calling it part of Washington’s strategy to exert “aggressive economic leverage” on Russia over the Ukraine war.
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Vance said the punitive measures were designed to restrict Moscow’s oil-driven revenues. “Trump has applied aggressive economic leverage, for example, secondary tariffs on India, to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy,” he explained.
The US administration recently hiked tariffs on Indian products to 50 per cent, including an additional 25 per cent levy linked directly to India’s purchases of discounted Russian crude oil. Washington argues that India’s energy imports are indirectly fueling Moscow’s war machine.
Despite tensions over trade, Vance struck an optimistic tone on prospects for peace between Russia and Ukraine. He claimed that Trump’s diplomatic outreach has already produced “significant concessions from both sides in recent weeks.”
“He (Trump) has made it clear that Russia can be reinvited into the world economy if they stop the killing. But they will remain isolated if they don’t,” Vance noted.
The sharpest criticism from Washington has been directed at New Delhi, even though China remains the largest importer of Russian crude and Europe continues to purchase Russian gas. The discrepancy has strained ties between India and the US, with New Delhi pushing back strongly against what it calls “selective pressure.”
India has consistently maintained that its crude imports are guided by national interest and market realities. Following Western sanctions on Russia in 2022, India ramped up purchases of discounted Russian oil, arguing that its energy security cannot be compromised.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, responding to US criticism, dismissed the allegations as hypocritical. “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing others of doing business,” he remarked at an event in New Delhi.
“If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys. So if you don’t like it, don’t buy it,” Jaishankar added.
