Has Delhi Bowed to US Pressure? US Treasury Secretary Claims India Ceased Russian Oil Imports

According to geopolitical analysts, the primary catalyst for this shift is the aggressive tariff policy of US President Donald Trump. Washington initially imposed a 25% baseline tariff on Indian goods, followed by an additional 25% punitive levy specifically as a "penalty" for India's continued energy trade with Russia. The pressure intensified with threats from the Trump administration to hike these tariffs to as much as 500% if New Delhi did not alter its stance.

US Senator Lindsey Graham has been a key architect of this hardline approach. His proposed "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025" suggests a mandatory 500% tax on any country or company that continues to purchase or resell energy from the Kremlin. This proposal reportedly enjoys near-unanimous support within the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The administration’s message remains unequivocal: to halt the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Moscow’s primary revenue streams must be dismantled.

On Wednesday, Secretary Bessent also directed sharp criticism toward European nations. He remarked that despite their own security being at stake, several European countries continue to import Russian oil, effectively bankrolling Moscow's military operations.

While the US Treasury views India's alleged withdrawal as a major strategic victory in international politics, New Delhi has yet to issue an official or final statement confirming a complete halt to Russian oil imports. The Ministry of External Affairs has previously maintained that its energy policy is governed strictly by national interest and energy security.