U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has claimed that India has “stopped” buying oil from Russia after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on countries purchasing oil from Moscow. Mr. Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on India, including 25% for its purchases of Russian oil. A Bill introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham has proposed a 500% tariff on secondary purchase and reselling of Russian oil. “And just, just to be clear that we have Europe buying Russian oil, still, still, or four years later, they are financing the war against themselves,” Mr. Bessent added. India, the world's third-largest oil importer, emerged as the biggest buyer of discounted Russian crude after Western countries shunned Moscow following its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Source: The Hindu January 22, 2026 13:18 UTC