A top advisor to US President Donald Trump has strongly criticised India for continuing to buy oil from Russia. The aide, Stephen Miller, accused India of indirectly helping Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil. His comments come as the Trump administration puts more pressure on countries that still trade with Moscow.

Miller, one of Trump’s closest and most powerful advisors, spoke about this issue on Fox News. “What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing oil from Russia,” Miller said on Sunday Morning Futures.

He also seemed shocked at the amount of oil India buys from Russia. “People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That's an astonishing fact,” he said.

Still, Miller pointed out that Trump has a good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He called their bond "tremendous" and did not suggest that ties between the two leaders are breaking down.

Trump announces tariffs on Indian goods over Russia ties

On July 30, Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from India. He also warned of more penalties if India continues to buy arms and oil from Russia. Right after the announcement, Trump sharply criticised India’s ties with Moscow.

He called India and Russia "dead economies" and said he "does not care" what India does with Russia. Trump added that he may increase tariffs on countries that keep buying oil from Russia, possibly up to 100%, unless Russia agrees to stop the war.

This warning has created more tension between the US and India, as both countries try to protect their interests. Despite the warning, India has made it clear that it will not stop its oil imports from Russia.

According to Reuters, Indian government sources said they plan to continue buying oil from Russia as it suits their energy needs.

India defends its oil trade with Russia

The Indian government has strongly defended its decision to keep importing Russian oil. Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “Its relationship with Russia was steady and time-tested and should not be seen through the prism of a third country.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also criticised India, even while calling it a "strategic partner." He said that India’s ongoing oil trade with Russia is a "point of irritation" in the relationship between the two countries.

Before the Ukraine war started in 2021, only 3% of India’s oil came from Russia. That number has now grown to around 35–40%, according to Reuters.

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