India's Modi shares ‘good call' with ‘my friend' Putin after Trump tariffs
Modi, in a post on X, also said he thanked the Russian president for the latest updates on the Ukraine war.
'We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year,' the Indian leader said.
Trump on Wednesday announced he would increase tariffs on India by 25 percent over its purchases of Russian oil, bringing the total tariffs he has imposed on New Delhi to 50 percent. The 25 percent increase is on top of a 25 percent 'reciprocal' tariff Trump announced on India last week, which was set to take effect Thursday.
India has remained defiant, souring U.S. relations with a key bulwark against China, as well as close personal relations between Trump and Modi.
'They're buying Russian oil, they're fueling the war machine. And if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy,' Trump said of India during a Tuesday interview with CNBC.
India has volleyed back with claims of American hypocrisy; past U.S. administrations encouraged the India-Russia energy trade to help stabilize global markets, and both the U.S. and Europe continue to spend billions on Russian energy and commodities.
India also says Russian energy is crucial to ensuring a stable domestic supply.
'In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,' an Indian foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement Monday, responding to Trump's tariff threats.
'Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,' it added.
The increased tariffs on India would take effect late this month.
However, Trump has also threatened broader 'secondary tariffs' on countries that trade with Russia.
A senior U.S. official said this week that additional sanctions were expected Friday, even as Trump has raised the idea of a direct meeting with Putin, if he's willing to stop the war.
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, returned from talks with Putin in Moscow this week with the framework of a ceasefire proposal, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. As of mid-week, Rubio said Russia and Ukraine remained too far apart for a meeting.
However, both U.S. and Russian officials have suggested an in-person summit could occur as soon as next week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said Russia appeared more likely to agree to a ceasefire than previously.
'Russia now seems to be more inclined toward a ceasefire — the pressure is working,' Zelensky said during an address. 'But the key is to ensure they don't deceive anyone in the details — neither us, nor the United States.'
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