A day after US President Donald Trump threatened India with higher tariffs, Russia has publicly backed New Delhi, asserting that no country can be forced to abandon its trade partners. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that such threats are “illegal” and that nations have a sovereign right to determine their own economic relationships. This show of support from Moscow bolsters India’s defiant stance against Washington’s pressures.
Trump’s warning was delivered through a social media post where he accused India of profiting from the purchase of Russian oil and reselling it. He criticized India for its perceived lack of concern for the conflict in Ukraine, stating, “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed.” Trump’s threat to raise tariffs comes on the heels of a 25% tariff on Indian goods that had already been implemented on August 1.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded with its own strong statement, accusing the US and European Union of “unjustified and unreasonable” targeting. The statement declared that India, like any major economy, would take “all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.” This marks a clear and unified pushback against US efforts to use economic penalties to influence foreign policy.
The geopolitical landscape is becoming increasingly fractured, with countries like Russia and India asserting their right to strategic autonomy. The current dispute highlights a growing divide between nations that support Western sanctions against Russia and those that prioritize their own economic and security interests. The Kremlin’s intervention further solidifies the emerging alliance between Moscow and New Delhi in the face of external pressure.