Trump adviser grills India for fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine through oil imports

A top adviser to US President Donald Trump accused India of indirectly financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to buy oil from Moscow. The statement intensified Washington’s pressure on New Delhi to cut energy ties with the Kremlin.

According to Reuters, the remarks came amid growing US frustration over India’s ongoing imports of Russian crude, despite Western sanctions and repeated diplomatic warnings.

Trump’s White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and a key political ally, stated, “What President Trump made very clear is that it is unacceptable for India to keep funding this war by purchasing oil from Russia.”

Speaking during an appearance on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Miller added, “People will be shocked to learn that India is nearly tied with China in terms of Russian oil imports. That’s an astonishing fact.”

His comments mark one of the strongest rebukes from a senior US official toward India over its energy relationship with Moscow.

Read more: US slaps sanctions on seven Indian companies over oil trade with Iran

The Indian embassy in Washington has not yet responded to the allegations.

Quoting unnamed government officials, Reuters reported that India intends to continue oil imports from Russia, dismissing US warnings as external pressure on its sovereign energy decisions.

In response to India’s ongoing defence and energy transactions with Russia, the United States imposed a 25% import tax on Indian goods starting Friday.

Former President Trump has also threatened a 100% import tariff on countries that persist in purchasing Russian oil, unless Russia agrees to a peace deal with Ukraine.

Despite the criticism, Miller maintained that Trump shares a strong relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling their ties "tremendous."