A senior aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump has accused India of indirectly funding Russia’s war effort in Ukraine through sustained imports of Russian oil, placing New Delhi’s trade practices under renewed scrutiny.
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller claimed India’s oil purchases are nearly on par with China’s, despite the South Asian nation’s claims of strategic alignment with the United States.
“People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil,” Miller said. “What [President Trump] said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing oil from Russia.”
Miller’s comments echoed Trump’s earlier criticisms of India’s trade and immigration policies, which the former president has described as unfavorable to American workers and industry.
“India portrays itself as being one of our closest friends in the world, but they don’t accept our products,” Miller added. “President Trump wants a tremendous relationship with India, but we need to get real about dealing with the financing of this war.”
The Indian government has not issued an official response to the remarks as of Monday.
The criticism comes amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi. In July, Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports, effective August 1, citing high trade barriers and India’s continued engagement with Russian energy. He has also floated the possibility of 100% tariffs on nations that persist in purchasing Russian oil unless Moscow agrees to a peace deal in Ukraine.
Trump signaled a potential shift in India’s stance during a statement on Friday, saying he had heard India may have stopped buying Russian oil — a development he described as a “good step.”
When asked about Trump’s August 8 deadline for Russia to end the war, Miller pointed to the United States’ current economic position as leverage.
“We’re in a position of economic strength — with tax cuts, energy expansion, and trade deals — to deal with Russia and this war,” Miller said. “All options are on the table to respond diplomatically, financially, and otherwise to the ongoing conflict.”
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