India in Trump’s Crosshairs: US President Accuses New Delhi of Funding Ukraine War

President Donald Trump used his address at the United Nations General Assembly to single out India, accusing the nation of bankrolling Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine through its energy trade. This pointed criticism, delivered before world leaders, marks a severe escalation of US pressure on New Delhi to sever its economic ties with Moscow and align with Western sanctions.
In his speech, Trump was unequivocal, stating, “China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war (in Ukraine) by continuing to purchase Russian oil.” He framed these energy transactions not as simple trade but as the very “engine feeding Putin’s war machine.” This public shaming tactic represents a significant departure from the more cordial tones that had recently characterized the US-India relationship, including personal gestures of friendship towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The President’s verbal attack is backed by punitive economic measures. He highlighted the recent imposition of an additional 25% levy on Indian imports, raising the total tariff rate to a staggering 50%. This move was explicitly designed to compel India to cease its oil purchases from Russia. Trump further threatened more “powerful tariffs,” which he believes could bring a swift end to the conflict in Ukraine.
Beyond the Ukraine issue, Trump also revived a long-standing and disputed claim about his role in South Asian geopolitics. He told the UNGA that he had personally “stopped a war” between India and Pakistan, a claim he has made over three dozen times to bolster his case for a Nobel Peace Prize. New Delhi has consistently refuted this, asserting that its military de-escalation, dubbed Operation Sindoor, was an independent choice.
India now finds itself in a challenging diplomatic position. The Modi government, which has so far avoided direct confrontation with the Trump administration, faces mounting pressure on multiple fronts, including trade and foreign policy. While Prime Minister Modi has responded to past pressures with calls for self-reliance, the directness of Trump’s UNGA accusations demands a more calibrated and strategic response from New Delhi.