Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:58pm on 05 Jan 2026,Monday India Global
US President Donald Trump warned India of increased tariffs if it continues importing Russian crude oil, stating PM Modi knows of Washington's displeasure. Indian exports already face 50% tariffs, with half linked to Russian oil purchases. Trump said tariffs could rise quickly, which "would be very bad for them." Despite pressure, Russia remained India's largest crude supplier (April-November 2025), providing 60 million of 178.1 million tonnes imported, though its share dropped to 33.7% from 37.9%. US imports surged 92% year-on-year to 7.6%. Senator Lindsey Graham is pushing legislation for harsh secondary tariffs. Experts warn India's strategic ambiguity is costly and recommend clearly stating its position on Russian oil.
