Trump Warns India of Massive Tariffs over Russian Oil Purchases

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to India, threatening to maintain or impose "massive tariffs" if India continues to purchase Russian oil, despite India reportedly increasing such imports amid global sanctions on Russia. Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assured him that India would stop buying Russian crude, but if India persists, it will face significant economic consequences through tariffs. This warning comes amid heightened US efforts to economically isolate Russia due to its war in Ukraine, linking geopolitical objectives directly to trade penalties targeting Indian exports, which have already been subjected to tariffs as high as 50 percent. Indian officials have denied knowledge of any such assurances from Modi, but Trump insists tariffs will remain unless India changes its course. The situation underscores ongoing tensions between two large democracies, with potential ramifications for bilateral trade, diplomatic relations, and global energy markets. Trump's statements reflect the complex interplay of energy security, international diplomacy, and economic coercion in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.