US Tariff Relief for India Linked to Shift in Russian Oil Purchases, Says Trump

Washington / New Delhi: US President Donald Trump said the United States would reduce tariffs on Indian exports after a Monday telephone call with Narendra Modi, tying the move to India’s energy import decisions. Trump, posting on his social media platform, said India had agreed to stop buying oil from Russia, a shift he framed as a contribution to ending the war in Ukraine. The president described Modi as “one of my greatest friends” and said their discussions would lead to a broader trade deal. Under the announcement, the general US tariff on Indian goods would be lowered from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, and a separate 25 per cent tariff previously imposed in connection with oil purchases would be removed. Trump said India would also reduce its own trade barriers against American products and increase purchases of US energy, technology, agricultural and other goods. Modi welcomed the tariff reduction and described the development positively, though he did not specifically confirm changes in India’s oil import policy. India, which imports most of its crude oil, has in recent years sourced cheaper Russian oil as part of its energy strategy; any reduction in those imports would signal a shift in its procurement patterns. Officials from both capitals said details of the trade agreement would be worked out in follow-up discussions and negotiations before formal implementation.