A top aide to U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday accused India of indirectly financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to import Russian oil, intensifying tensions between Washington and New Delhi. Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff and a key Trump confidant, made the remarks during an appearance on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures.
“What he [Trump] said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia,” Miller asserted, calling out India’s role in maintaining one of Moscow’s key revenue streams. He added that many Americans would be “shocked” to learn that India is now “basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil,” a statistic he labeled “astonishing.”
Miller’s pointed criticism marked one of the most direct and forceful rebukes of India from within the Trump administration, despite India being considered a key strategic partner for the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region.
As of now, the Indian Embassy in Washington has not issued a response. However, senior Indian government officials told Reuters that New Delhi intends to continue buying oil from Moscow, citing national interest and energy security needs. This stance has prompted retaliatory measures from Washington, with a 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports already in effect as of Friday. The penalties also come amid India’s continued purchase of Russian military hardware.
Trump has escalated the pressure by threatening to impose 100 per cent tariffs on imports from countries that continue to buy Russian oil—unless Russia agrees to a substantial peace deal to end its invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the harsh rhetoric, Miller struck a conciliatory note by affirming Trump’s “tremendous” relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that diplomatic efforts are still in play to resolve the dispute.