In recent months, US officials have accused Delhi of helping to fund Russia’s war against Ukraine by continuing to buy crude oil, a claim that Delhi denies.
The Trump administration has put both public and diplomatic pressure on Delhi to reduce its support for Moscow’s energy market, as part of efforts to economically isolate the Kremlin and push for an end to the war in Ukraine. Oil and gas are Russia’s largest exports, and Moscow’s biggest customers include China, India and Turkey.
As part of this pressure, the US has imposed 50% tariffs – including an additional 25% as a penalty for buying Russian oil – on Indian goods.
However, the US president’s tone has softened in recent days as trade negotiations between the two countries progress.
Last week, an Indian government spokesman said discussions were “ongoing” with the US administration which had “shown interest in deepening energy co-operation with India”.
India has been locked in high-stakes trade talks with the US aimed at reaching a long-sought deal in the coming months.
Meanwhile, a report in the Mint newspaper suggested that a deal could be announced soon and “India may agree to gradually reduce its imports of Russian oil”, citing three sources familiar with the matter.
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