Trump Aide Stephen Miller Slams India for Funding Russia’s War Through Oil Purchases

Washington, D.C. – In a fiery rebuke, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has accused India of indirectly fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to purchase large volumes of Russian crude oil. Speaking on Fox News’ *Sunday Morning Futures* on August 3, 2025, Miller delivered one of the Trump administration’s sharpest criticisms yet of India, a key U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific region. His remarks underscore escalating tensions between Washington and New Delhi over India’s energy and defense ties with Moscow, as the U.S. pushes to isolate Russia amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“What he [President Trump] said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia,” Miller stated, emphasizing the administration’s frustration. He went further, drawing a striking comparison: “People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact.” The pointed reference to China, a geopolitical rival, highlights the administration’s growing irritation with India’s refusal to scale back its economic ties with Russia, despite mounting U.S. pressure.

Background: India’s Growing Reliance on Russian Oil

India’s energy strategy has undergone a significant shift since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Prior to the war, Russian oil accounted for just 0.2% of India’s crude imports. However, as Western nations curtailed their purchases of Russian energy to punish Moscow, India seized the opportunity to buy discounted Russian oil. By May 2023, Russia had become India’s top oil supplier, providing over 2 million barrels per day—roughly 40% of India’s total crude intake. Today, Russia accounts for approximately 35% of India’s oil imports, with a steady flow of 1.75 to 1.78 million barrels daily, surpassing traditional suppliers like Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Indian officials have justified these purchases, citing economic necessity for a nation that imports nearly 85% of its energy needs to fuel its 1.4 billion population. “We look at what is available in the markets, what is on offer, and also what is the prevailing global situation or circumstances,” said India’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, defending the country’s energy strategy. Indian Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has also argued that these imports have helped stabilize global oil prices by maintaining supply, preventing a surge that could harm consumers worldwide.

U.S. Tariffs and Threats Escalate Tensions

The Trump administration’s criticism comes on the heels of a 25% tariff imposed on Indian goods, effective August 1, 2025, as a direct response to India’s continued energy and military dealings with Russia. President Trump has also threatened steeper penalties, including potential 100% tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that continue buying Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a peace deal with Ukraine by August 8, 2025. These measures mark a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to pressure India, a nation Trump has publicly called a “friend” but criticized for high trade barriers and its “dead economy” ties with Russia.

On July 30, Trump took to Truth Social to express his frustration, writing, “While India is our friend, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE – ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!” He added, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.” The remarks reflect a broader strategy of using tariffs as leverage to align trading partners with U.S. foreign policy goals.

Miller, however, tempered his criticism by noting Trump’s “tremendous” relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that personal diplomacy could still play a role in resolving the dispute. Despite this, the Indian Embassy in Washington has not yet responded to requests for comment, and Indian government sources have signaled defiance, telling Reuters that New Delhi will continue importing Russian oil due to long-term contracts and economic considerations such as price, crude grade, logistics, and inventories.

 

India’s Defiance and Strategic Calculations

India’s decision to maintain Russian oil imports reflects a delicate balancing act. As the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, India relies heavily on affordable energy to support its growing economy. Russian oil, often sold below the $60-per-barrel price cap set by the G7 and EU, has been a cost-effective option compared to pricier alternatives from Middle Eastern suppliers like Saudi Arabia, which impose an “Asian premium” on oil sales to Asian markets. Indian officials argue that abandoning Russian oil would not only increase costs but also disrupt long-term supply contracts, potentially destabilizing the domestic economy.

Moreover, India’s historical ties with Russia, dating back to the Cold War era of non-alignment, add a strategic dimension to its stance. Russia remains India’s largest supplier of military equipment, with a significant portion of its navy and air force relying on Russian-made platforms or components. New Delhi has resisted Western pressure to sever these ties, viewing them as critical to its national security and regional influence, particularly in countering China. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently criticized the “double standards” in U.S. tariff threats, hinting at frustration with Western nations that continue to import Russian energy indirectly while singling out India.

Analysts suggest that India’s defiance may also stem from a growing sense that it should not allow U.S. policy to dictate its energy choices. “Given how sensitive the domestic economy is to oil prices, you have to ensure that you not just get diverse sources of imports but also the cheapest,” said Shyam Saran, a former Indian official. Previous U.S. sanctions under Trump’s first term forced India to halt oil imports from Iran and Venezuela, decisions that came at significant economic cost. This time, Indian policymakers appear more resolute, with some suggesting they may “wait and watch” to see if Trump’s threats are a temporary tactic.

Diplomatic and Economic Implications

The escalating rhetoric and tariffs risk straining U.S.-India relations, which have been a cornerstone of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy to counter China. India’s trade surplus with the U.S., its largest export market, makes it vulnerable to tariffs, but New Delhi’s refusal to bow to pressure signals a broader assertion of strategic autonomy. Experts warn that the real damage may be diplomatic, as trust erodes between the two nations. “The real damage will be to the diplomatic ties between India and the U.S.,” said Anupam Manur, an economics professor at The Takshashila Institution.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s focus on India’s oil purchases highlights a broader push to economically isolate Russia. However, analysts like Matt Gertken of BCA Research argue that Trump’s tariff threats may be more about negotiation than crippling Russia’s economy, given Moscow’s use of a “shadow fleet” of tankers to circumvent sanctions. India has reportedly used similar intermediaries in the past, which could allow it to maintain imports while mitigating some U.S. pressure.

As the August 8 deadline looms, the standoff between Washington and New Delhi underscores the complex interplay of geopolitics, energy security, and trade. India’s commitment to Russian oil, driven by economic pragmatism and historical ties, sets the stage for a high-stakes diplomatic test. Whether the U.S. and India can navigate this tension without further escalation remains to be seen, but for now, New Delhi is standing firm, prioritizing its energy needs over U.S. demands.