Trump asserts India cut import of Russian crude to please him

Trump asserts India cut import of Russian crude to please him

U.S. President says that Prime Minister Modi wanted to ‘make him happy’; Senator Graham claims India’s Ambassador asked him to mediate with the President for lowering 25% penalty tariff; a Russia Sanctions Bill would mandate up to 500% tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday asserted that India cut its oil imports from Russia in recent months in an effort to “make him happy”, and to secure the India-U.S. trade deal, even as he threatened more tariffs could “come quickly” if India continues its purchases from Russia.

Backing Mr. Trump’s claim, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said that India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Kwatra, had brought up India’s declining oil imports from Russia during a meeting in December 2025, requesting Mr. Graham to ask Mr. Trump to “relieve the tariff” of 25% imposed by the U.S. over and above 25% reciprocal tariffs.

“I was at the Indian Ambassador’s house about a month ago and all he wanted to talk about is how they are buying less Russian oil. Would you tell the President to relieve the tariff? This stuff works,” Mr. Graham said during a press conference held by Mr. Trump.

“They [India] wanted to make me happy,” interjected Mr. Trump. “Basically, he wanted to... [Prime Minister] Modi is a very good man. He’s a good guy. He knew I was unhappy and it was important to make me happy. They do trade and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly and it would be bad for them,” he added.

The External Affairs Ministry did not respond to requests for comments on the claims by the U.S. leaders.

In the past, the MEA has termed the American imposition of unilateral sanctions as “double standards”, given that the U.S. itself buys Russian oil, uranium and critical minerals.

While Mr. Graham did not specify the date of the meeting, Mr. Kwatra had hosted a bipartisan U.S. Senate delegation on December 2 at the Indian Embassy in Washington, where Mr. Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal were present.

Both Senators are leading co-sponsors of a Russia Sanctions Bill introduced in the U.S. Senate that mandates up to 500% tariffs on countries that continue to purchase oil or uranium from Russia.

Mr. Trump had made the claim that India had promised to cut Russian oil imports “completely” on several occasions.