Russia has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump’s threats of revised tariffs against India, with the Kremlin citing the principle of national sovereignty. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday that “sovereign countries should have and do have the right to choose their own trading partners,” and that any attempt to force them to cut ties with Russia is “illegal.”
The controversy was sparked by a social media post from Trump, who accused India of purchasing large quantities of Russian oil and reselling it for “big profits.” He linked this trade to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and threatened to “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian goods, a measure that would compound the existing 25% tariffs that were imposed on August 1.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs also issued a firm response, accusing the US and the European Union of “unjustified and unreasonable” targeting. The statement declared that India would take “all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” a clear indication that it would not yield to US pressure.
The diplomatic exchange underscores the growing geopolitical tensions between the US and the Russia-India partnership. Russia’s public support for India reinforces their close ties and a shared commitment to resisting what they view as Washington’s attempts to use its economic leverage to dictate the foreign policy of other sovereign nations.