Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation America, has rejected US President Donald Trump’s allegation that India is financing the Russia-Ukraine conflict through oil imports from Moscow. He underlined that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently urged an end to the war.
Speaking to ANI, Jaishankar stressed that India’s energy strategy balances global stability with domestic needs. “Prime Minister Modi has been one of the most vocal in calling for an end to the conflict, including in earlier meetings with President Putin. India’s oil purchases—from Russia and elsewhere—have helped stabilise global prices, while ensuring its own energy security,” he said.
The remarks followed Trump’s address at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, where he named India and China as “primary funders” of the war by buying Russian oil. His comments come against the backdrop of rising trade tensions between New Delhi and Washington.
In July, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, later doubling it to 50%, citing India’s Russian oil imports as justification. These duties, among the highest globally, took effect on August 27. Meanwhile, negotiations over an interim trade deal stalled, with New Delhi resisting US demands to open its sensitive agricultural and dairy sectors.
India and the US began discussions earlier this year on a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), aiming to finalise the first stage by late 2025. However, differences over market access and tariffs continue to strain the talks.
