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Stephen Miller’s comments marked one of the strongest criticisms of India from the Trump camp so far
White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor Stephen Miller. (AFP Photo)
A senior aide to US President Donald Trump has accused India of indirectly funding Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to import oil from Moscow. The remarks were made as Trump stepped up pressure on New Delhi to halt its energy trade with Russia.
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security, “What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia.”
Miller went on to say that “people will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact.”
His comments marked one of the strongest criticisms of India from the Trump camp so far.
India, a key US partner in the Indo-Pacific region, has maintained strong energy ties with Russia despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and growing Western sanctions against Moscow.
According to Indian officials quoted by Reuters on Saturday, New Delhi intends to keep buying Russian oil, arguing it serves the country’s energy security needs.
Last Friday, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing its ongoing defence and energy transactions with Russia. Trump has also threatened to raise tariffs to 100% on imports from any country that continues buying Russian oil, unless Moscow agrees to a significant peace deal.
Despite the criticism, Miller acknowledged Trump’s “tremendous” relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PM Modi’s Stance On Russia-Ukraine War
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi has consistently called for peace and diplomacy regarding the Ukraine conflict. He has maintained that India stands for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the war.
During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 2022 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, PM Modi had said, “I know that today’s era is not of war and we have talked to you many times over the phone on the subject that democracy and diplomacy and dialogue are all these things that touch the world.”
Putin, in response, acknowledged India’s concerns and assured PM Modi that Russia would make efforts to end the conflict, blaming Ukraine’s leadership for prolonging it.
“I know about your position on the conflict in Ukraine and I know about your concerns. We want all of this to end as soon as possible,” Putin had said.
(With inputs from Reuters)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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