‘Modi knew I was unhappy,’ says Donald Trump as India cuts Russian oil imports; Senator says tariffs forced Delhi’s hand

Trump and Graham’s remarks come when India is on the path to reducing oil imports from Russia, ever since the 25 per cent tariffs were imposed in August last year. Since September 2025, Indian imports from Russia have been on a decline. Official trade data showed that India’s imports from Russia have declined by over 18 per cent between April and October last year compared to the previous year.

The Indian Express has learnt that US Ambassador Sergio Gor is expected to come to India in the next few days and decks are being cleared for movement on the signing of the deal. “The final details are being worked out, as the text has been firmed up, and now the White House and the President have to take a call. We hope that Ambassador Gor will come with some positive news,” a top source told The Indian Express.

Trump, while talking to reporters on Sunday aboard Air Force One en route to Washington DC from Florida, said, “They (India) wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy. They do trade and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly. It would be very bad for them,” Trump said.

Graham said that the tariffs imposed on India by Trump are the “chief reason” New Delhi is now buying substantially less Russian oil.

Graham spoke about his tariff bill that seeks to impose 500 per cent levies on imports from countries buying Russian oil. The Senator said that to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, pressure must be put on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s customers.

Trump said that the sanctions are hurting Russia very badly and then mentioned India. Graham then said that the US put a 25 per cent tariff on India for buying Russian oil.

“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?’” Graham said.

There was no official response from the Indian government on Graham’s claim.

India is facing a total of 50 pc tariffs on its exports to the US and this has dented its exports to one of its top export destinations. Delhi and Washington are in negotiations for a trade deal, and are hoping to conclude it as soon as possible.

Trump’s comments come amid continued uncertainty around the India-US trade deal that has been in the making for nearly a year. With the imposition of additional 25 per cent tariffs on August 27, India is currently the hardest hit country globally, impacting exports to the US as well as investments.

However, Indian industry has been hoping for a breakthrough amid growing India-US energy ties. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal last year had indicated that India’s energy security goals will have a “very high element” of US involvement.

Official trade data showed that India’s imports from Russia have declined by over 18 per cent between April and October last year compared to the previous year, and New Delhi’s imports from Washington jumped 62 per cent during the same period.

Indian public sector refiners have signed a one-year deal for American liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports. Amid the Trump administration’s push for expansion of existing nuclear power plants and the development of small-scale reactors, India has opened its nuclear sector.

After the two-day talks between India and the US trade team in New Delhi, Goyal had said that a trade deal is only done when both countries stand to benefit from it and that United States Trade Representative (USTR) should “sign on the dotted line” if the US believes it has received the “best offer” from New Delhi.

USTR Jamieson Greer in Washington DC, during a Senate hearing in December, had said that the US had received the “best” offer from India, adding that India has been a “difficult nut to crack” owing to its resistance to importing American agricultural products.