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Donald Trump earlier attacked the India-Russia ties, dubbing the economies of both countries “dead”. Marco Rubio backed the remarks of the US President.
US irked by India-Russia energy and defence ties (Reuters Image)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday (local time) expressed his dissatisfaction with the India-Russia ties and said that New Delhi buying cheap oil from Moscow “is a point of irritation” in the US’ relationship with the Asian country.
With this, he became the second senior Trump administration official, after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in 24 hours to comment on India buying Russian oil for its energy needs. Earlier, Bessent said that the US trade team was “frustrated” over trade negotiations with India, while pointing to India-Russia energy ties.
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It all started after President Donald Trump took to social media to attack the Delhi-Moscow energy and defence ties, while also dubbing the economies of both countries as “dead”, as he announced 25% tariffs on India and additional “penalties” for its relationship with the Vladimir Putin-led country, starting August 1. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together,” Trump said on Truth Social on Thursday.
General Marco Rubio Comments On India-Russia Ties
Backing Trump’s remarks against India, Rubio said that New Delhi’s relationship with Moscow is a “point of irritation” in the US’ ties with India.
“India is an ally and a strategic partner. Like anything in foreign policy, you are not gonna align 100% of the time on everything. India has huge energy needs, which include the ability to buy oil and coal, and gas and things they need to power its economy like every country does. And it buys it from Russia because Russian oil is cheap. That is helping them sustain the Russian war efforts. So it is a point of irritation in our relationship with India,” Marco Rubio told Fox News.
“President Trump expressed his very clear frustration that so many other oil vendors are available, India continues to buy so much from Russia,” he added.
Earlier, in an interview with CNBC, Bessent remarked that Trump and the entire trade negotiation team have been frustrated with India.
He also said that “India has also been a big buyer of Russian oil, which they then resell as refined products”, adding that “they have not been a great global actor”.
However, New Delhi has maintained that the negotiations with the US are underway and will be finalised keeping India’s national interest in mind.
Trump’s announcement of 25% tariffs, plus “penalties” on India came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified in the Lok Sabha in no uncertain terms that “no world leader asked India to stop Operation Sindoor”, therefore — without taking his name — busting Donald Trump’s repeated claims that he mediated a “ceasefire” between India and Pakistan.
General About the Author
Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, …Read More
Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, …
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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
- First Published:
August 01, 2025, 07:00 IST
News world ‘India Buying Russian Oil A Point Of Irritation In Ties’: Rubio Backs Trump’s 25% Tariffs
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