Washington: A leading advisor to US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized India for maintaining robust oil imports from Russia, charging that such purchases amount to indirect support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The comments underscore escalating efforts by the Trump administration to pressure nations still trading energy with Russia.
Stephen Miller, one of Trump’s most influential aides, made clear the administration’s stance during an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures.” “What President Trump said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing oil from Russia,” Miller remarked.
Here’s what he said:
⚡️🇮🇳 TOP Trump aide ACCUSES India of ‘FINANCING’ Ukraine conflict
Because New Delhi’s purchasing OIL from Moscow
Stephen Miller also says India’s ‘CHEATING’ United States on immigration
Now BRICS countries owe moral clarity to the United States? pic.twitter.com/u2tY2rdjnv
— RT (@RT_com) August 3, 2025
‘India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil…’
Further highlighting US concern, Trump’s deputy chief of staff expressed surprise at the magnitude of India’s energy trade with Moscow. Appearing on Fox News, he noted, “People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact.”
Despite mounting US pressure, Indian officials signaled an unwavering commitment to oil imports from Russia. Reuters reports that government sources in New Delhi insisted they will continue purchasing Russian crude, reflecting India’s ongoing pursuit of affordable energy.
While Miller criticized India’s purchases, he also acknowledged President Trump’s positive rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling their relationship “tremendous.” He accuses India of not purchasing US products and imposing massive tariff on US goods, while portraying itself as one of the closest friends of US. “There is lot of cheating in the immigration policy, which is very harmful for US workers…” he said.
Trump Tariffs on Indian Goods
On July 30, President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods and warned of further penalties tied to India’s acquisition of Russian arms and oil. The tariff move was immediately followed by sharp rhetoric, with Trump denouncing India and Russia as “dead economies” and stating he “does not care” how New Delhi manages its relationship with Moscow.
Trump has also threatened even steeper tariffs—potentially as high as 100%—on imports from any country that keeps buying Russian oil unless a Russian-Ukrainian peace deal is reached.
Rubio: Oil Imports an ‘Irritation’ in US-India Ties
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added to the chorus of criticism, calling India a “strategic partner” but citing its oil trade with Russia as a “point of irritation” in bilateral relations.
India’s imports of Russian oil have surged dramatically in recent years. According to Reuters, Russian crude made up just 3% of India’s imports before the Ukraine conflict in 2021. That figure now stands between 35% and 40% of India’s total oil imports.