India responds to U.S. penalty over Russia oil
India's government has not given any directive to the country's oil refiners to stop or reduce the amount of Russian crude oil, the New York Times reported, citing two senior Indian officials.
Trump earlier this week said he would impose a financial "penalty" on the South Asian country if it did not cut back on its reliance on Russian oil. The sanction would be in addition to a 25% American tariff on Indian goods.
The president did not elaborate on the extent of the additional financial "penalty."
"Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country, " Trump said in a Truth Social post.
"Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia's largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE."
Trump on Friday said it was his understanding "that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard. I don't know if that's right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens."
Indian officials told the New York Times the country has "not given any direction to oil companies" to change direction.
Publicly, Indian officials said they are considering options without confirming or denying the Times report.
"We have taken note of the sanctions, and we are looking into it," Ministry of External Affairs of India spokesman Shri Randhir Jaiswal said during a news conference Friday in New Delhi.
"On the other question about proposed oil sale, etc...look, I would say that I have no comments to offer in this particular matter. As far as sourcing our energy requirements is concerned, you are well aware of our broad approach, meaning our overall approach and stance. We take decisions based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time. As for the specifics of your particular question, I am not aware of it. I don't have details of these specifics."
Jaiswal also attempted to avoid further escalating the situation.
"I would also like to underline this particular point that this is a sensitive and complex case and therefore, I would urge all to be mindful that media reports based on speculation and misinformation are not helpful at all," he told reporters.
"In so far as the reports claiming that there has been certain developments etc., such reports are incorrect. Please wait for an update from us, this is a sensitive matter, and we urge all sides to stay away from misinformation."
Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
OPEC+ agrees to hike oil production amid threat to Russian supply
Members of the oil producers' group OPEC+ agreed to raise production as concerns grow over possible disruptions to Russian supply. The group has been hiking production since April in a bid to cushion the market against geopolitical tensions, and the decision to increase oil output by 547,000 barrels per day would fully reverse a 2023 2.2 million-barrel cutback aimed at shoring up prices. The move comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to put tariffs on buyers of Russian oil, which could drive up crude prices and severely impact India and China, Moscow's biggest customers. Some Indian refiners have already reportedly stopped buying Russian oil, turning to Middle East and West African suppliers instead. — J.D. Capelouto Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
'They're trying to rig the system': Sen. Padilla says Dems should fight fire with fire
California's Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla said his party should be willing to fight fire with fire, in light of Texas' potential, controversial gerrymandering plans. "If Republicans were confident on their policy agenda, they'd be eager to defend it with the people and to defend it at the ballot box next November," Padilla said in an Aug. 3 interview on NBC's "Meet the Press." "But they know they're in trouble," he continued. "And so they're trying to rig the system to hold on to power." The California senator was referencing Texas Republicans' proposed new map of their state's congressional districts, following President Donald Trump's urging that the GOP find a way to flip as many as five seats in next year's midterm elections. "Just a very simple redrawing, we pick up five seats," Trump told reporters on July 15. Padilla likened Trump's ask of Texas Republicans to his request during his first term in office that a top Georgia official "find 11,780 votes" to put him over the top in the Electoral College for the 2020 election. Redistricting in the middle of the decade, rather than every ten years after new census data is collected, is rare. And the pushback from Democrats across the country has been widespread. Blue state leaders have threatened tit-for-tat responses, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has suggested redrawing his state's map to counteract Texas' efforts. (Newsom faces the challenge of a bipartisan redistricting commission, which oversees California's maps, unlike Texas, where lawmakers dictate the boundaries.) Some California Democrats are wary, warning that a redistricting arms race could spiral and erode trust with voters. In response to those concerns, Padilla told NBC he believes it's appropriate for the Democrat-controlled state to evaluate its options. "The ideal scenario," he said, "is for Texas to stand down. They don't have to do this; they shouldn't do this. But if they were to go forward and deliver Trump his five additional Republicans ... the stakes are simply too high" for Democrats not to respond. Padilla also addressed recent comments from his fellow Democrats about the state of politics and American democracy, including Sen. Cory Booker's call for his party to "have a backbone." "It's time for us to fight. It's time for us to draw lines," Booker said from the Senate floor on July 29. Asked whether Booker's defiant approach was the appropriate stance for Democrats under the Trump administration, Padilla said, "Look, I think the extreme way in which this administration is conducting itself calls for higher and higher profile ways of pushing back." After announcing that she would not be running for California governor in 2026, former Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on CBS's "The Late Show" with Stephen Colbert. In her interview on July 31, Harris told Colbert, "Recently, I made the decision that, for now, I don't want to go back into the system. I think it's broken." Padilla agreed, in part, with Harris' take, saying, "I think the system is under duress." "Democrats are doing our part to try to stand up and push back," he added.
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
Who is Charlamagne tha God? What to know after radio host's Epstein-MAGA remark
President Donald Trump responded to Charlamagne tha God on Sunday, Aug. 3, calling him a "sleezebag" after the radio host suggested traditional Republicans will use rivaled interest in the Jeffrey Epstein files to take over the GOP again. Charlamagne tha God, whose real name is Lenard McKelvey, is co-host of the popular radio show "The Breakfast Club," which draws more than 4 million weekly listeners. The response from Trump came just days after McKelvey floated Jon Stewart as possible 2028 presidential candidate after former Vice President Kamala Harris said she won't run for California governor, leaving the door open for a potential 2028 run. "I think that traditional conservatives are going to take the Republican Party back," McKelvey said during an interview with the president's daughter-in-law on her Fox News show, "My View with Lara Trump." "I think this Epstein thing is going to be a way for traditional conservatives to take their party back, I really do." "I think they know this is the issue that has gotten the base riled up," he said, referencing the disgraced financier who died by suicide in August 2019. "The MAGA base isn't letting this issue go, and for the first time, they know they can probably take the party back and not piss off the MAGA base." After the interview, in a Truth Social post, Trump praised his daughter-in-law, called her "amazing and talented," and called the show "a big ratings success." The president then called McKelvey a "sleezebag" and discounted his intellegence. "He's a Low IQ individual, has no idea what words are coming out of his mouth, and knows nothing about me or what I have done," Trump wrote. "Just ending 5 Wars, including a 31 year bloodbath between Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, where Seven Million people have died, and there was no end in sight." Trump went on to claim in the post that McKelvey did not know about a myriad of other topics, including India and Pakistan, Iran, the border or the economy. 'Change agent': Charlamagne tha God floats Jon Stewart as possible 2028 candidate What is Charlamagne tha God's first name? Born in Charleston South Carolina, Charlamagne tha God's real name is Lenard Larry McKelvey. Epstein revival continues: Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell quietly moved out of Florida federal prison Who is Charlamagne tha God? Charlamange tha God, 47, is an American TV radio host and presenter. He is a co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show, "The Breakfast Club," which discusses a variety of topics including pop culture, celebrity gossip and politics. The podcast had been downloaded more than 1 billion times as of early June, iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network have reported. McKelvey is also co-host of the podcast "Brilliant Idiots" and has authored two books: "Black Privilege"and "Shook One." According to his website, McKelvey is slated to be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in October. What is 7-OH? Trump administration wants to products with it as 'an illicit substance' Who is Lara Trump? Lara Trump, 42, is married to the president's second son, Eric Trump. The Fox News host is also co-chair of the Republican National Committee. The president's daughter-in-law had been Trump's first choice for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, where she was born. But late last month she opted out and endorsed Republican National Committee chair and former North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley. Trump also endorsed Whatley for the slot in a late July social media post. What did Trump say about Charlamange tha God? In his Truth Media post, the president questioned why McKelvey is "allowed to use the word 'GOD'" when describing himself. "Can anyone imagine the uproar there would be if I used that nickname?" Trump wrote in the post. The White House has previously shared a photo of the president dressed as a the pope on its official social media pages, sparking both outlash and glee. The photo was posted just days after Pope Francis died on Easter this year at age 88. Contributing: Phillip Bailey and Sudiksha Kochi Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
