‘No Comparison' To India's Imports: Aide Defends US-Russia Trade Days After Trump Pleads Ignorance
Describing India as having 'taken advantage' of the Ukraine conflict, the official claimed US imports from Russia were under 1 per cent of India's volume
Just two days after US President Donald Trump claimed he had no knowledge of his own country's imports from Russia, a senior United States official has said there is 'no comparison" between that trade and India's rising oil imports from Moscow.
In response to a question from ANI on how the US justified its own ongoing imports from Russia, the official said: 'There is simply no comparison between the hundreds of billions of dollars of growing Indian imports of Russian oil, and the modest US imports of Russia goods, which amount to less than 1% of the value of Indian imports."
The official added that the US only imports commodities from Russia for which it lacks domestic alternatives. But India, he claimed, had 'intentionally taken advantage" of the Ukraine conflict to increase its oil purchases from Russia.
'The US imports from Russia are limited to commodities that we don't currently have good alternatives for, but which we are aggressively working to create more domestic alternatives to reduce reliance on Russia. By contrast, India has intentionally taken advantage of the war in Ukraine to dramatically increase its purchases of Russian crude, when there are roughly 40 major crude providers that could satisfy Indian demand," he said.
To which Trump replied: 'I don't know anything about it. We will have to check."
Trump Tariffs: What's In The Executive Order?
The Executive Order, signed on Wednesday, imposes an additional 25 per cent levy on all Indian imports, raising the total tariff to 50 per cent. The White House cited national security and foreign policy concerns, alleging India's oil trade with Moscow posed 'an unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States.
While the first 25 per cent tariff have kicked in from Thursday, the rest will apply after 21 days, with limited exemptions for goods already in transit.
The announcement follows Trump's fiery post on Truth Social accusing India of 'profiting" off Russian oil sales and being indifferent to Ukrainian deaths, a remark India described as 'unjustified and unreasonable."
India's Sharp Pushback
India issued a strongly-worded response following Trump's executive order, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) calling the move 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable." The government said the tariffs were a politically motivated response to something many other countries, including US allies, were also doing.
New Delhi said its oil imports from Russia are based on market conditions and are aimed at ensuring energy security for 1.4 billion Indians, especially after traditional suppliers diverted oil shipments to Europe following the Ukraine conflict.
In its official statement, the MEA noted: 'The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India."
India also pointed out that the US was singling it out while other nations were doing the same.
'It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the ministry said.
Finally, the MEA reiterated its core position, stating that it will 'take all actions necessary to protect its national interests."
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
a minute ago
- India.com
PM Modi Inaugurates Bengaluru's Yellow Line Metro, Vande Bharat
New Delhi: Bengaluru witnessed a significant infrastructure milestone today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the city to inaugurate the long-awaited Yellow Line Metro, an essential corridor that will finally connect the key Electronics City area with the rest of the metro network. During his visit, the Prime Minister also launched the Vande Bharat Express train service between Bengaluru and Belagavi. In addition, he virtually flagged off two more Vande Bharat Express trains: one between Amritsar and Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, and another connecting Ajni (Nagpur) to Pune. #WATCH | Karnataka: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off 3 Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station in Bengaluru It includes trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune. (Source: DD) — ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2025 Extensive preparations were made for the high-profile visit, with the Bengaluru traffic police issuing detailed advisories to ensure smooth traffic flow near the inauguration sites. After officially flagging off the Yellow Line, PM Modi is expected to address the citizens of Bengaluru. The Yellow Line is being described as a 'game-changer' for Bengaluru's southern corridor, particularly in areas where rapid residential and industrial expansion has long outstripped public transport infrastructure. The line will serve residential areas, tech parks, and industrial zones, potentially easing the chronic congestion at key bottlenecks like Silk Board Junction. PM Modi also boarded a metro train to the Electronic City station. Following this, PM Modi is scheduled to visit the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Bengaluru, where he will lay the foundation stone for Phase-3 of the Namma Metro and formally inaugurate the Yellow Line stretch from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra station, while addressing the assembled audience. He will then travel by helicopter to the HAL Airport and depart for Delhi at 2.45 pm. According to PM Modi's office, the Yellow Line Metro from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra, part of the Bangalore Metro Phase-2 project, spans over 19 km and includes 16 stations, with an estimated value of Rs 7,160 crore. With the opening of this Yellow Line, Bengaluru's operational metro network now exceeds 96 km, serving a vast segment of the city's population. As per officials, the Yellow Line is expected to ease traffic congestion in several of the city's most congested areas, including Hosur Road, Silk Board Junction, and Electronics City Junction. 10 things about Bengaluru's Yellow Line Metro 1. Route and length – The Yellow Line stretches 19.15 km from RV Road to Bommasandra, with 16 stations along the corridor. 2. Major hubs covered – Key stops include Silk Board Junction, BTM Layout, Electronic City, and the Bommasandra Industrial Area. 3. Connectivity to IT & Industry – The line links southern Bengaluru to major tech and industrial employers in Electronics City, such as Infosys, Biocon, and TCS. 4. Project cost – The corridor has been developed at an estimated cost of ₹5,056.99 crore. 5. Daily ridership potential – According to a PTI report, the line is expected to serve nearly 8 lakh commuters daily. 6. Traffic decongestion – Areas like Silk Board Junction are expected to see significant relief in traffic volume. 7. Operational timeline – Services will commence from August 11, with three trains initially running at 25-minute intervals between RV Road and Bommasandra. 8. Launch date shift – Initially scheduled for August 15, the launch was advanced to August 10 following the Prime Minister's directive to expedite the project. 9. Linked expansion – The event also marks the foundation stone laying for Phase-3 of Namma Metro, an ambitious 44.65-km expansion project worth Rs 15,611 crore. 10. Phase 3 impact – Once completed, Phase 3 is expected to benefit around 25 lakh people in southern Bengaluru, significantly improving last-mile connectivity and reducing commute times.
Hans India
a minute ago
- Hans India
US tariffs: India set to bounce back bolstered by strategic reforms, robust domestic demand
New Delhi: As India-US trade talks stall, the resilience of India's economy is a cornerstone of its ability to weather these tariff pressures with minimal disruption as over the past decade, the country has transformed into a diversified economic powerhouse, bolstered by strategic reforms and robust domestic demand. According to BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha, the trade talks, initially aimed at fostering mutual economic benefits, descended into a stalemate as the US pressed India with ambitious and arguably unrealistic demands. "Trump's administration sought extensive market access for American agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, and technology services, while imposing steep tariffs on Indian exports such as steel, aluminium, textiles, and IT services. These tariffs, coupled with demands that threatened India's domestic stakeholders, were met with resolute resistance from India, under the steadfast leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he emphasised in an opinion piece that appeared in NDTV. He further stated that committed to protecting the interests of farmers, fisheries, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), India refused to yield, prioritising its economic sovereignty. "This principled stance, as noted by economists Stuart and Linda Stern in their 2023 book India's Economic Ascendancy: Navigating Global Trade Challenges, has not only safeguarded India's core sectors but positioned it to emerge stronger from the ongoing tariff chaos," Sinha wrote. A SBI Research report last week said that imposition of a 25 per cent penalty on goods trade with India, with a proposition of an additional 25 per cent on the world's largest democracy, can be a bad policy decision for the US and its people. India - strategically protecting its sovereignty - must continue to protect its farmers from likelihood of predatory practices of select global conglomerates who may vie for a lucrative "Desi" pie without investing in sustainable market infrastructure creation, anchoring agri value chain financing and being a partner in welfare schemes that upend 'Ease of Living' for our farming community, the report stressed. According to Sinha, this tariff crisis presents India with a strategic opportunity to accelerate its pursuit of technological autonomy and expand its global market reach. "The Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, another visionary policy spearheaded by PM Modi, has driven investments in indigenous technologies, particularly in critical areas like semiconductors, 5G infrastructure, and renewable energy," he emphasised. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has attracted global tech giants like Apple, Samsung, and Foxconn, boosting electronics exports by 22 per cent in 2024, according to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The tariff crisis has also reshaped the geopolitical landscape, creating opportunities for India to assert its global influence. "By standing firm against coercive trade tactics, India has bolstered its reputation as a principled and independent power. This stance has opened the door to fresh alignments, particularly within the Russia-India-China (RIC) framework," said Sinha. Prime Minister Modi's proposed visit to Beijing for the 2025 SCO Summit and his recent call with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signal India's intent to deepen ties with BRICS partners. "These diplomatic engagements, as noted by the Ministry of External Affairs (2025), reflect India's strategic balancing act, leveraging the tariff dispute to enhance its geopolitical leverage. The potential revival of RIC cooperation, alongside strengthened BRICS collaboration, positions India as a pivotal player in a multipolar world. By fostering these partnerships, India is not only countering US pressure but also shaping a new global order that prioritises mutual cooperation over unilateral demands," Sinha highlighted.
The Hindu
a minute ago
- The Hindu
Zelenskyy says Ukraine 'fully supports' joint statement by European leaders
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday (August 10, 2025) that Kyiv "values and fully supports" a joint statement by European leaders on achieving peace in Ukraine while protecting Ukrainian and European interests. "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations," he wrote on X. "Ukraine values and fully supports the statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President Ursula von der Leyen, and President Stubb on peace for Ukraine."
