Russia has accused the United States of exerting “illegal” pressure on India, following US President Donald Trump’s threats of revised tariffs. On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that “trying to force countries to stop trading with Russia is illegal,” a direct condemnation of the US’s tactics. The statement signals Russia’s staunch support for India’s right to maintain its economic relationship with Moscow.
The controversy stems from a social media post by Trump, who accused India of buying cheap Russian oil and reselling it for a profit. He claimed this showed a lack of concern for the conflict in Ukraine and threatened to “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian goods, adding to the 25% tariff that was already in place on August 1.
The Indian government’s response was equally firm. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong-worded statement calling the targeting of India “unjustified and unreasonable.” The statement affirmed New Delhi’s commitment to “take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”
The unified front presented by Russia and India highlights the limits of American economic coercion. Both nations are asserting their right to make sovereign decisions regarding their trade and foreign policy. The situation reveals a new dynamic in global affairs, where emerging powers are increasingly willing to challenge the dictates of established superpowers.