FT: India Is Paying Dearly For Its Friendship With Russia
- 3.08.2025, 15:15
Trump has started to get closer to Pakistan.
Relations between the US and India have deteriorated sharply due to Trump's imposition of 25% duties and threat of sanctions for Russian oil purchases. Analysts predict New Delhi will take a tougher stance in dialog with Washington and seek greater strategic autonomy.
The Financial Times writes about this. Until a few weeks ago, Donald Trump was showing optimism about a future trade agreement with India, hinting that New Delhi could avoid the high 26% duties that Washington imposed on April 2 against most trading partners.
India, which had hoped for an exemption or preferential terms, agreed to negotiate. But the result was different, with Trump announcing a 25 percent duty just one percent below the original rate, and warning of "unspecified penalties" over Russian oil purchases.
A major source of U.S. discontent is India's energy ties with Russia. At a time when the West is trying to limit the flow of funds to the Russian budget, New Delhi continues to import oil from Russia in large volumes, including at discounted prices. As U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has noted, "India is essentially helping to finance Russia's military action in Ukraine."
The Trump administration has previously shown great leniency toward this course of action by India. But now the situation has changed. As Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Ashley Tellis explains, "As long as Trump's policy was to indulge Putin, India's oil purchases were not a problem. Now they have suddenly become a problem because Trump's interest in the ceasefire has intensified."
Another unexpected signal is Trump's rapprochement with Pakistan. Experts point out that after the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, the White House is showing more openness towards Islamabad. This is alarming in New Delhi, as Pakistan has traditionally been considered India's main geopolitical rival.
According to analysts, this US behavior is perceived in India as manipulation. "India, which is increasingly confident of its growing role in the world, feels less need to compromise with the United States on major policy issues and is trying to cope with the machismo in the White House," said Christopher Clary of the Stimson Center's South Asia program.
The Indian government has so far been cautious in its reactions. An official statement said New Delhi is "studying the implications of Trump's move." Meanwhile, officials are still hoping for the return of a U.S. delegation to continue trade talks later this month.