US Treasury Secretary Slams India, China Over Russian Oil: “Fueling Moscow’s War Machine”
Scott Bessent accuses India of fueling Russia’s war machine; Trump admin mulls fresh sanctions on Moscow.
Scott Bessent Criticizes India at SCO Summit, Warns of Sanctions on Russia
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday accused India and China of “fueling Russia’s war machine” by purchasing discounted oil from Moscow and reselling it to global markets. Speaking to Fox News at Martin’s Tavern in Washington, Bessent criticized New Delhi’s deepening energy ties with Russia even as he voiced confidence that “two great countries will get this solved.”
SCO summit dismissed as ‘performative’
Bessent downplayed the significance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“This is a longstanding meeting… I think it’s largely performative,” Bessent remarked, stressing that India’s democratic values align more closely with the US than with Russia.
Accusations over Russian oil and Ukraine war funding ⛽
The Treasury Secretary said India’s crude imports from Russia and subsequent refining are “not great actor behavior,” alleging they indirectly finance Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.
“The Indians have not been great actors in terms of buying Russian oil and then reselling it, financing the Russian war effort in Ukraine,” Bessent asserted.
Sanctions on Russia remain ‘on the table’ ⚠️
Bessent confirmed that President Donald Trump is prepared to consider additional sanctions on Russia after Moscow launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, killing at least 17 people, including four children.
“With President Trump, all options are on the table… we’ll be examining those very closely this week,” he said, condemning Vladimir Putin’s intensified bombing campaign as “despicable.”
Trump calls trade ‘totally one-sided’
Echoing Bessent’s frustration, Trump took to social media to call the US-India trade relationship “totally one sided,” accusing New Delhi of imposing “the highest tariffs in the world.” India has rejected these claims as “unjustified and unreasonable,” citing its energy security and agricultural priorities.
Sharp rhetoric from senior Trump officials 🛢️
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro accused Indian refiners of acting as a “massive refining hub and oil money laundromat for the Kremlin” and claimed “Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people.” While calling Modi a “great leader,” Navarro argued India’s engagement with Putin and Xi undermines its democratic credentials.
The Trump administration has already imposed reciprocal tariffs of 25% on Indian goods and an additional 25% levy on Russian-linked oil imports, raising total duties to 50% — among the highest globally.
The escalating rhetoric underscores mounting US pressure on India to distance itself from Russia, even as Washington signals optimism about repairing strained trade ties.
