'Tariffs A Good Example': Senator Says India Buying 'Dramatically' Less Russian Oil After US Push

Last Updated:February 04, 2026, 08:18 IST

Lindsey Graham said tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods had played a key role in influencing New Delhi’s energy sourcing decisions

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R) gestures, while standing next to US President Donald Trump. (REUTERS)

India is buying “dramatically" less Russian oil, US Senator Lindsey Graham has claimed, attributing the shift to trade pressure applied by the Trump administration and linking it to Washington’s broader effort to weaken Russia’s war economy amid the conflict in Ukraine.

Taking to X, Graham said tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods had played a key role in influencing New Delhi’s energy sourcing decisions. He argued that the measures demonstrated how economic pressure on Russia’s major trading partners could affect Moscow’s ability to sustain its war effort.

“Tariffs on India is a good example of how things can change. India is now buying dramatically less Russian oil, and if the other large purchasers would follow suit, it would help end this bloodbath," he said.

Graham added: “Clearly the pressure we’re applying to Putin to come to the peace table and stop massive attacks against Ukraine is not working. President Trump’s idea of going after Putin’s oil customers who prop up his war machine should be pursued with vigour by the US and Europe. President Trump has crippled Putin’s economy by going after oil companies and refineries."

Graham’s comments came shortly after the announcement of a new India-US trade agreement. After the deal, Graham publicly welcomed the tariff reduction, saying India had “earned" the concession through its recent actions.

After months of escalating trade tensions between India and the United States, the two sides announced a new trade agreement on February 2. The deal was publicly declared by US President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social that an understanding had been reached with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The backdrop to the deal included punitive tariffs earlier imposed by Washington, including a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff and an additional 25 per cent penalty related to India’s purchases of Russian oil, which had caused effective duties on many Indian exports to surge as high as about 50 per cent.

The United States cut its reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, immediately lowering the cost burden on Indian exporters. The extra 25 per cent penalty tariff that had been applied because of India’s Russian oil purchases has also been withdrawn, bringing the effective level much lower.

Trump also announced that India would potentially move toward zero duty on a range of imports over time and increase purchases of US products, including energy (oil and gas), technology, agricultural goods, coal, and possibly defence and aircraft, with talks of up to $500 billion in future purchases.

Graham has emerged as one of Washington’s most vocal proponents of tougher sanctions on Russia and its trading partners, including legislation that would allow tariffs of as much as 500 per cent on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil. He has argued that only prolonged economic pressure can compel Moscow to rethink its military campaign, saying that while Russia has yet to be forced into negotiations, recent developments indicate that the pressure is beginning to build.

While Trump said India would stop buying Russian oil, sources in the Indian government said the country would stick to its “people-first approach". “We will continue to buy oil from markets giving the best deal and from non-sanctioned entities. Our strategy will be decided by market prices."

News world 'Tariffs A Good Example': Senator Says India Buying 'Dramatically' Less Russian Oil After US Push

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