Russia Defends Ties With India As Trump Raises Tariffs

Photo: AFP
The friendship between India and Russia has become a big topic after U.S. President Donald Trump raised new tariffs on Indian imports. At the same time, Russia praised its close bond with India and said no outside power can break their partnership.

The main issue is India’s oil imports. While the United States wants countries to stop buying from Russia because of the war in Ukraine, India has kept buying discounted Russian oil to meet its energy needs.

Trump’s Tariffs On India

On August 27, Trump’s new 25 per cent duties on Indian goods came into effect. With this step, the total tariff on Indian imports to the U.S. has now reached 50 per cent.

Trump admitted that these penalties created some tension with New Delhi. Still, he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “great Prime Minister” and a friend. However, he also said he is unhappy with India’s decision to continue buying oil from Russia.

“I’ll always be friends with PM Modi. He’s a great Prime Minister. I’ll always be friends, but I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment,” Trump explained. He added that the U.S. and India still share a “very special relationship” and nothing is broken.

Russia’s Response

Russia reacted strongly to the new U.S. tariffs. Its Foreign Ministry said any attempt to harm Russia-India ties would “fail.” Officials said relations are “steadily and confidently advancing.”

They described India as a reliable partner that follows its own path in global politics. The ministry added that the friendship is “reliable, predictable and strategic,” based on respect for sovereignty and national interest.

Moscow also listed areas where both nations are working together. These include joint space missions, nuclear power projects, military production, and Indian investments in Russian oil. They are also creating new payment systems using their own currencies and building new trade routes to reduce dependence on Western networks.

Modi-Putin Show of Unity

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China. They were seen shaking hands and hugging warmly, with Modi sharing the pictures online.

This meeting showed that India values its old partner Russia. Despite U.S. pressure, New Delhi will not cut ties with Moscow, especially in the fields of energy and defense.

Balancing Two Friendships

India is caught between two friendships. On one side, the U.S. is an important ally, helping India with defense, technology, and global influence. On the other side, Russia has been India’s trusted partner for decades, providing weapons and affordable energy.

After Trump’s comments, Prime Minister Modi said he appreciated the U.S. President’s words. He added that India and America share a “very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.”

The Bigger Picture

This dispute shows how difficult global politics has become. The U.S. wants to isolate Russia because of the Ukraine war. But India cannot fully stop working with Moscow because of its long-term needs. Russian oil keeps India’s economy stable, and Russian weapons are still vital for its security.

Trump’s tariffs are meant to pressure India, but they also risk raising costs for American buyers of Indian goods. Meanwhile, Russia benefits from showing the world that its friendship with India remains strong.

In the future, the U.S. and India will need to find common ground. Both countries see each other as important partners against China’s growing power. For this reason, they cannot afford to let differences over oil imports weaken their long-term relationship.

India’s message is clear: it will follow its own independent path. Russia’s message is also firm: its partnership with India is here to stay. The U.S. must now decide how to manage these realities while still protecting its own interests.