Trump's Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Purchases: Impact on Moscow-Delhi Relations and US-India Trade Negotiations

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has stated that US President Donald Trump's tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil are having a "significant impact" on Moscow.

Mr. Rutte claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is asking Russian President Vladimir Putin to "explain his strategy" on Ukraine following Trump's announcement of tariffs on Indian goods.

"This (tariff) immediately impacts Russia because that means Delhi is now on the phone with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Narendra Modi is asking him, 'I support you, but could you explain me your strategy because I have now been hit by these 50% tariffs by the United States'," he told CNN on Friday during the UNGA session in New York.

Neither New Delhi nor Moscow have immediately responded to Mr. Rutte's remarks.

Last month, Mr. Trump imposed a 25 percent reciprocal tariff on India plus an additional 25 percent penalty specifically for purchasing Russian oil. The US President, who has implemented reciprocal tariffs on various countries since returning to power in January, accused New Delhi of funding Moscow's attacks on Ukraine through oil purchases.

PM Modi and Mr. Putin recently spoke via telephone on the former's 75th birthday on September 17. According to the Prime Minister's office, Modi reiterated India's "full support for the peaceful resolution" of the Ukraine conflict, which began in February 2022.

On September 1, the two leaders conversed for nearly an hour while traveling together to their bilateral meeting location after the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China.

Sources informed NDTV that President Putin requested to travel with PM Modi from the SCO conference venue to their bilateral meeting at the Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Putin reportedly waited approximately 10 minutes for PM Modi so they could travel together.

This month, Donald Trump urged NATO countries to impose 50 to 100 percent tariffs on China and stop purchasing Russian oil to help end the Ukraine war.

In a September 13 post on Truth Social, Trump stated he is prepared to impose "major sanctions" on Russia when all NATO countries agree to do the same and cease buying oil from Moscow.

He criticized NATO's commitment to winning as "far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian oil, by some, has been shocking!"

"It greatly weakens your negotiating position and bargaining power over Russia," Trump added.

Mr. Rutte concurred with Trump, stating NATO countries "should stop" buying Russian oil.

A delegation led by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held trade discussions with US officials in New York this week. The team included senior ministry officials, including Special Secretary and India's chief negotiator, Rajesh Agrawal.

The visit followed recently concluded discussions in Delhi between US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch and Mr. Agrawal regarding the proposed bilateral trade agreement.

The meeting occurred shortly after Donald Trump expressed his intention to speak with his "very good friend," PM Modi, in the upcoming weeks.

"I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks. I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both our countries," Trump posted on Truth Social on September 10.

In response, PM Modi expressed confidence that "our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership." He emphasized that India and the US are "close friends and natural partners."

"Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest. I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people," PM Modi added.