‘India Buying Russian Oil A Point Of Irritation In Ties’: Rubio Backs Trump's 25% Tariffs

Last Updated:August 01, 2025, 07:00 IST

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 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.

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.

“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.

More to follow…

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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