On purchasing oil from Russia, US President Donald Trump imposed heavy tariff on India. This decision of the Trump government is being criticized a lot. At the same time, many US experts are calling it a huge mistake. US strategic affairs expert Ashley J. Telis says that Trump is feeling cheated as he did not get the credit for resolving the India-Pakistan dispute in May 2025.
During an interview, Telis said that there may be policy differences about India’s purchase of Russian oil, but there may also be a deep complaint. He said that ‘I think Trump is feeling cheated because he did not get the credit for resolving the India-Pakistan dispute, which he considers himself entitled’, he said ‘I say’ I suspect that the call made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to correct the situation, instead of resolving the situation and provocative has proved to be ‘.
Stress increased between India and America
In July, 25 percent tariff was imposed on India. After this, 25 percent secondary tariffs on Indian oil imports and 50 percent tariff on Indian goods have been implemented from August 27, which has negatively affected the ongoing trade talks between the two countries. In recent weeks, tension in India and America relations came when the Trump administration imposed heavy tariffs on India to buy Russian oil. At the same time, its role in establishing peace by India during the recent struggle (Operation Sindoor) with Pakistan was allegedly denied. The US tariff on Indian exports is now above 50 percent. Apart from Brazil, it is the most tariff imposed by Trump according to its tariff list.
‘Trump ignored China’s role’
Telis said that with the belief of India that Trump did not play any role in bringing peace in both countries (India-Pakistan), Trump has decided to attack India. He said that China is the biggest buyer of Russian oil. In 2024, China imported Russian oil worth US $ 62.6 billion, while India imported US $ 52.7 billion. Despite this, Trump has focused his criticism on India, ignoring the big role of China.
Target on Peter Navarro
Along with this, he also targeted Trump’s business advisor Peter Navarro. Telis said that Navaro has caused further damage to the relationship between Delhi and Washington. Telis said, ‘He has put India in a situation where he is now living together with some enemies of America, because he has no other option’.
Telis said ever since Trump dropped the tariff bomb, US government officials have reacted sharply to India continue to buy crude oil from Russia, and argued that it is like funding Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine, a war that Trump has failed to end, while he claimed last year that he can end it in a few hours.
