“The Trump administration intensifies its campaign against India’s energy autonomy, accusing New Delhi of financing the Ukraine war and using trade threats to influence its foreign policy decisions.“
A senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump has accused India of indirectly supporting the war in Ukraine through its continued oil trade with Russia, as the Trump administration ramps up diplomatic pressure on New Delhi to halt these transactions.
Speaking on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said, “What Trump said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing oil from Russia.”
Miller, a key figure in the Trump administration, delivered one of the most pointed criticisms yet of India—a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific—over its energy ties with Moscow.
Emphasizing the scale of India’s imports, he added, “People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact.”
His comments come amid growing condemnation of countries that maintain energy trade with Russia, despite ongoing Western efforts to economically isolate the Kremlin over its actions in Ukraine.
India Stands Firm Amid U.S. Pressure
The Indian Embassy in Washington declined to comment on Miller’s accusations. However, Indian officials told Reuters on Saturday that the government remains committed to continuing its oil imports from Russia, despite increasing pressure and threats from Washington.
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