US reaffirms strong ties with India amid SCO summit and growing India-China-Russia engagement

US Treasury Secretary assures strong US-India relations despite concerns over Russian oil purchases and trade tariffs, emphasizing dialogue, shared democratic values, and solvable differences.

Post Published By: Karan Sharma
Updated : 2 September 2025, 8:08 AM IST
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New Delhi: There is a situation of tension between America and India on two major issues. The first issue is related to trade, where former US President Donald Trump has talked about imposing 50% tariff (import duty) on India. The second issue is related to energy, in which America is expressing displeasure over India buying oil from Russia. Amidst these issues, US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant has given an important statement.

Main message of US Treasury Secretary: Relationship strong, differences solvable

Scott Besant took a reassuring stance regarding the relationship between America and India in an interview with Fox News. He stressed that the foundation of relations between the two countries is very strong. He believes that both America and India are democratic countries, and any kind of differences in democracy can be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. Showing his confidence, he said, "Two great countries will solve it."

PM Modi at the center with Putin and Xi Jinping (Image Source: Internet)

US objection to Russian oil purchase

Although Besant spoke positively about the overall relationship, he raised clear and strong objections to India's purchase of oil from Russia. He argued that India is buying cheap oil from Russia, refining it, and then selling those refined products. According to the US, this action is benefiting Russia economically, and it is getting financial support to run the ongoing war in Ukraine. Besant simply described it as "not a good move."

Reason behind raising tariffs on India

Explaining the reason behind the Trump administration's decision to raise tariffs on India, Besant said that this step was taken due to the trade talks moving at a very slow pace. The US believed that it had become necessary to impose tariffs first at 25% and then 50% to speed up the talks and protect its trade interests.

Trump calls US-India trade relationship one-sided; Tariff cuts come too late

Comment on India's international partnerships.

Besant also referred to the recent meetings of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO summit. However, he tried to clarify that India's values ​​and principles are closer to the US, not Russia.

He also indicated that India's values ​​match those of China as well, perhaps to indicate that India's oil purchase deal with Russia is based only on economic interests, not strategic principles.

In short, the US Treasury Secretary's statement reflects a dual stance: on the one hand, he describes the long-term relationship with India as strong and is confident of resolving differences, while on the other hand, he is also clearly expressing his deep displeasure and concern on issues such as trade and oil purchases from Russia.

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