India has announced the suspension of all postal services to the United States amid growing diplomatic tensions over trade tariffs and energy ties with Russia. The Department of Posts issued a notification stating that the booking of all categories of mail — including letters, documents, and gift items valued up to $100 — for the US has been halted. This move follows the inability of carriers to transport US-bound mail and the absence of proper regulatory mechanisms.

The development comes shortly after the department previously limited mail services to letters, documents, and gifts under $100 starting August 25. Tensions have intensified since Washington revoked the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods worth up to $800 on July 30, subjecting them to customs duties under the US tariff framework. Post this withdrawal, such shipments are now subject to ad valorem duties based on effective tariff rates or flat-rate duties of $80, $160, or $200 depending on the tariff bracket.

Further escalating matters, the US imposed a 25% tariff on all commodities on July 31, followed by an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports on August 6 under an executive order signed by President Trump. The order cited India’s continued purchase of Russian oil as a reason, accusing New Delhi of fueling Moscow’s “war machine.” India criticized the move as “unfair” and “unjustified,” highlighting Western nations’ ongoing imports of Russian fertilizers and chemicals.

During his visit to Russia, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar pointed out that China remains the largest buyer of Russian oil and the EU leads in importing Russian LNG. He also stressed that India is not the country with the biggest trade surge with Russia after 2022.