Nikki Haley Urges India to Address Trump’s Russian Oil Concerns

Republican leader Nikki Haley has called on India to take US President Donald Trump’s concerns over its Russian oil imports “seriously,” urging New Delhi to engage in dialogue with the White House to resolve trade tensions. In a social media post on Saturday, Haley emphasized the need for “hard dialogue” to navigate disputes, including the 50% US tariff on Indian goods set to take effect on August 27, which includes an additional 25% duty tied to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.

Haley, in an opinion piece for Newsweek, acknowledged Trump’s stance, stating, “Trump is right to target India’s massive Russian oil purchases, which are helping to fund Vladimir Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine.” However, she cautioned against treating India as an adversary like China, advocating for its role as a “prized free and democratic partner.” She highlighted India’s unique capacity to manufacture at a scale comparable to China for products like textiles and electronics, making it a critical ally in diversifying US supply chains away from Beijing.

Despite facing criticism within her party for seemingly favoring India, Haley stressed the decades-long “friendship and goodwill” between the world’s two largest democracies as a foundation to overcome current tensions. “To face China, the United States must have a friend in India,” she wrote, urging both nations to prioritize shared strategic goals.

Also Read: PM Modi Defies US Pressure as India’s Russian Oil Imports Soar to 2 Million BPD

India, the largest seaborne buyer of Russian crude with 1.75 million barrels per day in the first half of 2025, defends its energy imports as driven by national interest and affordability, especially after Western sanctions on Russia post its 2022 Ukraine invasion. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently noted that China, the top buyer of Russian oil, faces no similar penalties, calling the US tariffs “unjustified.”

The tariff escalation, affecting $48.2 billion in Indian exports, has strained US-India ties, with posts on X reflecting mixed sentiments—some praising Haley’s balanced approach, others questioning the US’s inconsistent stance on China. As tensions persist, Haley’s call for urgent dialogue underscores the need to preserve the strategic partnership to counter China’s global influence.

Also Read: Trump Mulls Tariffs on China for Russian Oil Imports