The Trump administration signaled optimism on resolving trade tensions with India, even as it reiterated concerns over New Delhi’s energy ties with Moscow. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington believes “two great countries will get this solved,” but cautioned that India’s continued purchase of Russian oil was indirectly sustaining the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.

In an interview with Fox Business, Bessent criticized India’s resale of discounted Russian crude, arguing it was “financing the Russian war effort.” He also linked the punitive 50 percent US tariffs on Indian goods—currently the steepest against any Asian nation—not only to the oil trade but also to slow progress in bilateral trade negotiations. Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly described US-India trade as a “one-sided disaster,” claiming New Delhi blocks access for American products.

Bessent downplayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China. He called the gathering “largely performative,” insisting that India’s democratic values “are much closer to ours than to Russia’s.”

On Russia, Bessent warned that Washington is weighing further sanctions if the Kremlin continues its military campaign in Ukraine. “All options are on the table,” he said, accusing Putin of escalating strikes despite his Anchorage, Alaska, meeting with Trump and recent talks involving European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington.

“Instead of following through on peace signals, he has increased the bombing campaign in a despicable manner,” Bessent remarked. He confirmed that additional punitive steps would be reviewed this week.

Despite the rising friction, Bessent projected confidence in Indo-US ties, emphasizing that Washington sees New Delhi as a strategic partner rather than an adversary.

The Trump administration signaled optimism on resolving trade tensions with India, even as it reiterated concerns over New Delhi’s energy ties with Moscow. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington believes “two great countries will get this solved,” but cautioned that India’s continued purchase of Russian oil was indirectly sustaining the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.

In an interview with Fox Business, Bessent criticized India’s resale of discounted Russian crude, arguing it was “financing the Russian war effort.” He also linked the punitive 50 percent US tariffs on Indian goods—currently the steepest against any Asian nation—not only to the oil trade but also to slow progress in bilateral trade negotiations. Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly described US-India trade as a “one-sided disaster,” claiming New Delhi blocks access for American products.

Bessent downplayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China. He called the gathering “largely performative,” insisting that India’s democratic values “are much closer to ours than to Russia’s.”

On Russia, Bessent warned that Washington is weighing further sanctions if the Kremlin continues its military campaign in Ukraine. “All options are on the table,” he said, accusing Putin of escalating strikes despite his Anchorage, Alaska, meeting with Trump and recent talks involving European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington.

“Instead of following through on peace signals, he has increased the bombing campaign in a despicable manner,” Bessent remarked. He confirmed that additional punitive steps would be reviewed this week.

Despite the rising friction, Bessent projected confidence in Indo-US ties, emphasizing that Washington sees New Delhi as a strategic partner rather than an adversary.