US President Donald Trump has announced a 25 per cent tariff on India from August 1. The Republican blamed New Delhi for purchases of Russian energy resources and weapons during the war in Ukraine.

Criticizing India for its "trade barriers," Trump wrote on Truth Social that the country "has always bought the vast majority of its military equipment from Russia and are the largest buyer of energy from Russia, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine."

"India will therefore pay a 25% duty, plus a penalty, on the above from August 1," the US president added, without specifying what the penalty would be.

The comments follow Trump's earlier warnings of imposing 100% secondary duties on Russian oil within 10 days if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a peace deal in Ukraine.

Starting his second term promising to reach a quick peace deal in Ukraine, Trump has increasingly criticized Russia for its refusal to accept a ceasefire and escalating attacks on Ukrainian cities. 

India, long dependent on Middle East oil, has sharply increased imports from Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, taking advantage of deep discounts and declining demand in Europe.

The South Asian country remains one of the top buyers of Russian oil, second only to China. | BGNES