The Kremlin has publicly backed India in its escalating trade dispute with the US, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling President Donald Trump’s threats of revised tariffs “illegal.” On Tuesday, Peskov stated that “sovereign countries should have and do have the right to choose their own trading partners,” and that any attempt to force them to cut ties with Russia is unacceptable.
The controversy was sparked by a social media post from Trump, in which he accused India of buying large quantities of Russian oil and reselling it for “big profits.” He connected this trade to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and threatened to “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian goods, a measure that would compound the existing 25% tariffs that were imposed on August 1.
India’s government also pushed back with a strong-worded statement from its Ministry of External Affairs. It accused the US and EU of “unjustified and unreasonable” targeting and affirmed its commitment to protecting its “national interests and economic security.”
This diplomatic standoff highlights the complex dynamics of the current geopolitical landscape. Russia’s public support for India reinforces its close strategic ties with New Delhi and signals a united front against what they perceive as coercive US policies. The situation underscores the challenges faced by Washington in its efforts to isolate Russia on the global stage.