Unlike China, India refused to let the US President take credit. That refusal, he argues, may have triggered Trump’s “greatest ire.” (Photo: Reuters)
India has called out US President Donald Trump’s fresh 25% tariff hike, on top of an existing 25%, as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” These new penalties, according to the White House, are a response to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. However, experts suggest the real trigger lies elsewhere. South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman links the tariff blow to a diplomatic snub involving the India-Pakistan ceasefire.
China, which is also buying Russian oil, has faced no such penalty. This suggests that political considerations influence economic choices. At the heart of it, India’s defiance on the global stage may have cost it dearly.
Trump has accused India of undermining US efforts by buying oil from Russia. New Delhi, however, insists it prioritises energy security over geopolitics. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said many nations—including China—import Russian crude.
Yet, Washington chose to target India alone. Officials in Delhi called the move “extremely unfortunate,” especially as other countries with similar practices were let off.
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Why did Trump single out India? Michael Kugelman, director at the Wilson Center, suggests it stems from a diplomatic slight. After the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Trump later claimed he brokered a ceasefire. But India flatly denied it.
PM Narendra Modi told Parliament that no global leader influenced India’s decision. In contrast, Pakistan thanked Trump—and later secured a trade deal. Kugelman believes this public rejection embarrassed Trump.
Unlike China, India refused to let the US President take credit. That refusal, he argues, may have triggered Trump’s “greatest ire.”
Despite also importing Russian oil, China has not faced new US tariffs. Kugelman explains that Beijing didn’t publicly oppose Trump’s ceasefire claims. Nor did it engage in direct contradiction of his version of events. “Indeed, it’s a double standard. It’s hypocritical,” he said. This suggests Trump’s tariffs on India aren’t just economic—they’re political.
India has also rejected US demands for more access to agricultural markets. Talks for a trade deal have stalled. PM Modi stood firm. “The interest of farmers is our top priority,” he declared. “India will never compromise.”
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Modi even acknowledged the personal political cost he might bear. Still, he said, “India is ready.” The message: domestic welfare comes first—even at the cost of a trade war.
Kugelman believes the current crisis is the worst US-India tension in two decades. Still, he sees hope. The partnership spans defense, technology, and more. “It has the insulation to withstand shocks,” he said. Strategic convergence might bring the two powers back together, though that may be put to the test right now.
This episode reflects a broader shift in India’s global posture. It is no longer willing to play second fiddle to global powers. India now sets its own terms—on oil, on agriculture, and on foreign policy. But assertiveness invites backlash. In Trump’s world, diplomacy and ego mix dangerously.
India’s refusal to acknowledge US mediation might have economic consequences. As New Delhi steps up as a global voice, it must also prepare for diplomatic blowback from old allies.
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