Chicago – August 03, 2025
A top aide to former President Donald Trump said on Sunday that India is helping Russia fund its war in Ukraine by buying oil from Moscow. Stephen Miller, who was Trump’s deputy chief of staff, told Fox News that India should stop purchasing Russian oil. He emphasized that it is not acceptable for India to continue supporting the war in this way.
Miller’s comments were some of the harshest yet from the Trump administration about India, which is a key partner for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. He pointed out that India, along with China, is one of the largest buyers of Russian oil, which he called “astonishing.”
India’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Indian officials told Reuters that the country will keep buying oil from Russia despite pressure from the U.S. Over the past week, a 25% tariff on Indian goods took effect as a result of India’s purchases of Russian energy and military supplies.
Trump has also warned that the U.S. might impose a 100% tariff on goods from countries that continue to buy Russian oil unless Russia reaches a peace deal with Ukraine.
Despite the criticism, Miller acknowledged that Trump has a strong relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
