Trump Backtracks on 'Lost India' Claim
Clarifies stance, slams India’s Russian oil imports.
US President Donald Trump walked back his provocative Truth Social post claiming the US had “lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China,” asserting during a White House press briefing that he does not believe this has occurred. The clarification came amid escalating tensions over India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil, which has drawn sharp criticism from Trump’s administration and prompted hefty 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty tied to these imports.
Addressing reporters, Trump expressed frustration, stating, “I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia. I let them know that. We put a very big tariff on India—50 percent, a very high tariff.” Despite the trade dispute, he emphasized his personal rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting, “I get along very well with Modi, as you know. He was here a couple of months ago; we went to the Rose Garden and had a press conference.” The remarks followed Modi’s attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where he was pictured with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, prompting Trump’s initial social media outburst.
Trump’s senior aides echoed his sentiments. Peter Navarro, Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing, accused India of “profiteering” from Russian oil and claimed its high tariffs cost American jobs, while White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett expressed disappointment, stating, “The trade team and the President are disappointed that India continues to fund Russia’s Ukraine war.” Hassett remained optimistic, adding, “Hopefully, it’s a democratic issue, and we’ll have positive developments.”
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India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declined to directly address Trump’s comments but rejected Navarro’s earlier inflammatory remarks as “inaccurate and misleading.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s commitment to its strategic partnership with the US, stating, “This relationship is very important for us, anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties.” On trade, Jaiswal affirmed that India remains engaged with the US, stressing that its international ties “stand on their own merit” and should not be viewed through a third-country lens.
The 50% tariffs, effective since August 27, 2025, have strained US-India relations, already tested by Trump’s description of India as America’s “most tariffed partner” and a “one-sided disaster” in trade. India, the world’s third-largest oil consumer, relies on Russian crude for nearly 40% of its imports, a sharp rise from pre-2022 levels, arguing that these purchases stabilize global energy markets and comply with the G7’s $60-per-barrel price cap. Analysts warn that halting these imports could spike global oil prices to $90-$100 per barrel, increasing India’s import costs significantly.
The controversy underscores broader geopolitical shifts, with India strengthening ties with non-Western blocs like the SCO and BRICS, as evidenced by Modi’s recent China visit—his first in seven years. As trade talks continue, the US-India relationship faces a delicate balancing act, navigating economic disputes and strategic alignment amid global tensions.
