India’s Oil Stance Sparks US Rebuke

Stephen Miller’s accusation that India is financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil has triggered a new wave of tension between two of America’s most important strategic partners.

Story Snapshot

  • Stephen Miller, a top adviser to President Trump, publicly accused India of funding Russia’s war in Ukraine through oil purchases.
  • The U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports as a direct response to India’s continued Russian oil trade.
  • India’s government signaled no immediate policy change, highlighting national energy security needs over U.S. pressure.
  • Experts warn the dispute could deeply strain U.S.-India ties and undermine Western sanctions on Russia.

White House’s Direct Criticism of India’s Oil Purchases

On August 3, 2025, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller accused India of “financing” Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine by ramping up purchases of Russian crude oil. Miller’s comments, aired during a Fox News interview, came just two days after the United States imposed a sweeping 25% tariff on Indian imports—a clear signal that the Trump administration is willing to leverage America’s economic muscle to pressure allies who undermine Western sanctions regimes. Miller stated, “It is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing oil from Russia,” marking one of the most forceful public rebukes of India by a senior White House official in recent memory.

Miller’s remarks underscore the administration’s frustration over India’s steadfast refusal to align with U.S. and European sanctions. India, now “basically tied with China” as a top purchaser of Russian oil, has quietly quadrupled its imports since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, taking advantage of discounted crude left unsold by Western buyers. This energy relationship has become a central point of contention in U.S.-India relations, pitting American strategic priorities against India’s domestic economic needs.

India’s Response: Energy Security Over Western Pressure

Indian officials moved quickly to address the controversy, signaling that there would be no immediate change to their Russian oil import policy. They cited the country’s need to shield its 1.4 billion citizens from global price shocks, especially as international sanctions have tightened global supply and driven up costs elsewhere. The Indian government’s position is clear: their purchases are legal under international law, and national interests will not be sacrificed to satisfy external demands.

Watch: Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Indian goods and threatens penalties for buying Russian oil

This firm stance is consistent with India’s broader foreign policy of strategic autonomy. Since 2022, India has maintained a neutral posture on the Ukraine conflict, refusing to join Western sanctions even as pressure mounted from Washington and Brussels. The country has previously weathered U.S. criticism over its acquisition of Russian S-400 missile systems, citing both defense and energy security imperatives.

Trade Tariffs and the Fallout for U.S.-India Relations

The Trump administration’s decision to slap a 25% tariff on Indian imports marks a significant escalation. The move directly links U.S. trade policy to India’s foreign energy purchases—a rare step between two countries that have carefully built a strategic partnership over the past two decades. These tariffs, effective as of August 1, 2025, are intended to send a clear message that the U.S. expects greater alignment from its Indo-Pacific allies when it comes to isolating Russia.

U.S. importers may face higher costs, potentially fueling inflation and supply chain headaches at home. The broader risk is that what began as an energy dispute could spiral into a deeper trade conflict, undermining cooperation on other shared priorities such as countering China and ensuring Indo-Pacific security.

Sources:

The New York Sun
Kyiv Independent
News18
Mezha
Mezha

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