US President Donald Trump has warned India of possible tariff hikes if it does not cooperate with Washington over the issue of Russian oil purchases, foreign news agencies reported.

President Trump said the United States is closely monitoring India’s position and actions regarding the import of Russian oil. He made it clear that if New Delhi fails to meet American expectations on reducing or stopping such purchases, Washington could respond by increasing trade tariffs on Indian goods.

The US president emphasized that the objective of this pressure is to increase global pressure on Russia. He said all partner countries must adopt a unified stance to ensure effective implementation of sanctions against Moscow. According to Trump, continued purchases of Russian oil undermine international efforts to economically isolate Russia.

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The statement comes at a sensitive time, as trade negotiations between the United States and India are currently underway. Analysts believe Trump’s tough remarks could complicate these talks and place additional strain on bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

Trump has previously claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would stop buying Russian oil. However, India has neither officially confirmed nor clearly denied this claim, adding further uncertainty to the situation.

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International experts note that India has consistently defended its purchase of Russian oil as an economic necessity, citing its growing energy demands and the availability of discounted crude. On the other hand, the United States continues to push its allies and partners to fully comply with sanctions imposed on Russia.

So far, Indian authorities have not issued any official response to President Trump’s latest warning, leaving the future course of action unclear.