Russia Defends India’s Right to Choose Trade Partners Amid Trump’s Tariff Threats
MOSCOW, Russia – August 5, 2025: Russia is sticking up for India, saying countries can trade with whoever they want. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap higher tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. A Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said that trying to strong-arm countries like this is wrong and goes against international rules. This support from Russia adds fuel to the fire in the growing trade fight between the U.S. and India, and it strengthens the bond between India and Russia.
Kremlin Calls Coercion Not Legal
Dmitry Peskov, from the Kremlin, made a firm statement, directly addressing the U.S. pressure on India. He said Russia sees the U.S. threats as not legal and as an attempt to force countries to cut trade ties with Russia. Peskov stressed that countries should decide their own trade and economic deals based on what’s best for them.
This response from Russia is a big deal. It was made shortly after India’s foreign affairs ministry called the U.S. criticism unfair. Russia’s backing helps India argue that its energy and trade plans are its own business and not an endorsement of Russia’s moves in Ukraine.
Trump’s Tariff Threat: What’s the Deal?
Russia’s statement is a direct reaction to Trump’s threats. On August 4, 2025, Trump said on social media that India was helping [Russia’s] war machine and profiting from reselling Russian oil. He promised to raise tariffs a lot. This comes after a 25% tariff on Indian goods was put in place on August 1, 2025.
These threats from Washington are a clear attempt to use money to pressure India into changing its plans. The tariffs are also seen as a way to get India to give in during trade talks.
India’s Side of the Story: Double Standards?
India has said that it’s doing what’s best for its economy and its people. The foreign affairs ministry said that it needs to buy Russian oil because of the global market, to ensure that Indian consumers have access to affordable energy.
The ministry also pointed out what it sees as a double standard. It said that the U.S. and the European Union still trade a lot with Russia. This weakens the West’s argument.
India and Russia: Still Close
This fight with the U.S. shows how strong the India-Russia relationship actually is. They have been partners for years, with Russia being India’s main supplier of military gear. The recent increase in Russian oil imports, which now make up about 40% of India’s oil purchases, has made their connection stronger.
The trade relationship isn’t just about oil. India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, is in Moscow to boost defense and energy cooperation. This visit, along with a planned visit from Foreign Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, sends the message that India will stick with Russia despite U.S. pressure.
Moscow Says Washington Is Acting Like a Neocolonial Power
Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, also said that the U.S. is acting like a neocolonial power against countries in the Global South. She said that Washington can’t accept that it’s not the only power in the world anymore and is using politicized economic pressure against countries that don’t agree with it.
This paints the U.S. actions as a power grab rather than a response to the Ukraine conflict. Russia is trying to be seen as a defender of countries’ rights against Western control.
What This Means for Diplomacy
This back-and-forth has created a tricky situation. The U.S. is using its economic power to try and change India’s plans, but this is pushing India closer to Russia and other countries in the BRICS and SCO groups.
This could change things in the world for a long time. It could lead to changes in supply chains and a shift in who has economic power. India’s strong stance, backed by Russia, suggests that the U.S.’s strategy of using economic pressure might not work so well when other countries are becoming more independent.
