U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has said that President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian imports was designed as “aggressive economic leverage” to pressure Russia into halting its military campaign in Ukraine. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Vance explained that the tariffs, including an additional 25% duty tied to India’s imports of discounted Russian crude oil, were intended to make it more difficult for Moscow to profit from its oil exports.

Despite the escalating tensions, Vance expressed confidence in Washington’s ability to mediate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. He claimed that both sides had made “significant concessions” in recent weeks and stressed that Russia could regain access to the global economy only if it ended its attacks. Otherwise, Moscow would remain isolated.

The move, however, has strained ties between New Delhi and Washington. While the U.S. accuses India of indirectly funding Russia’s war effort through its oil purchases, India rejects these claims, maintaining that its energy trade decisions are based on national interests and market considerations.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded sharply to U.S. criticism, remarking that it was “curious” for a pro-business American administration to accuse others of pursuing business. He added that if the U.S. disapproved of India’s refined oil exports, it was free not to purchase them, pointing out that Europe and America also continue to buy energy from various markets.

India began purchasing Russian oil at discounted rates after Western sanctions limited Moscow’s global energy trade following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The U.S. tariffs now signal a harder stance, with Washington seeking to use India’s oil imports as a pressure point against Russia.