‘India has not been a great global actor’: Donald Trump administration fires fresh salvo after 25% tariff; says Russia oil ‘most certainly a point of irritation’

India has not been a ‘great global actor’, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday while commenting on India’s crude oil trade with Russia. Bessent also said that the entire US trade team, and American President Trump are ‘frustrated’ with India.Bessent’s statement comes at a time when Trump has announced 25% tariffs on India and has also indicated that the world’s fifth largest economy will have to pay an additional penalty for its purchase of Russia’s crude oil and defence equipment.“Well, I don't know what's going to happen. It will be up to India. India came to the table early. They've been slow rolling things. So I think that the President, the whole trade team, has been frustrated with them,” he said in an interview to CNBC.

The Russia Niggle Between India and US

Bessent said that India has been purchasing huge quantities of sanctioned Russian oil, which is subsequently processed and sold as refined products. "So, they have not been a great global actor," he said.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the same stance saying that India's acquisition of Russian oil is contributing to Moscow's military operations in Ukraine, which is 'most certainly a point of irritation' between New Delhi and Washington.

"Look, global trade – India is an ally. It's a strategic partner. Like anything in foreign policy, you're not going to align 100 per cent of the time on everything," Rubio reportedly told Fox Radio.Rubio recognised that India requires substantial energy resources, including oil, coal and gas, essential for its economic growth, similar to other nations. He noted that India's procurement of Russian energy resources stems from the availability of sanctioned Russian oil at prices below global market rates.He further stated that these purchases 'unfortunately' contribute to sustaining Russia's military operations. Also Read | Donald Trump’s 25% tariff, ‘dead economy’ jibe: India sends clear message to the US in 5 points - what Piyush Goyal said

Trump’s Pressure Tactics?

Experts are of the view that the unexpected tariff announcement by Trump appears to be a strategic move to pressure India into accepting US demands. Professor Harsh V. Pant, Vice President – Studies and Foreign Policy at Observer Research Foundation told TOI, “Trump has spoken about the tariffs on India and he has then linked it to the Russia question.

The energy deal that he says America is going to sign with Pakistan, seems also to be an indication that America would be enhancing its ties with Pakistan, and by and large, it seems to me to be a pressure tactic to get India to sign the deal quickly.

”“...because otherwise, I don't think all these things would have come together in such a short span of time. One can connect the dots now and see that there is a degree of frustration that is building up that India has not signed the deal quickly.

Perhaps Trump was anticipating that it would happen quickly, given how India treated him in the first term,” Pant said.“But given that India has stuck to its guns, and the challenge that the US is facing in negotiating might be partly responsible for Trump to bring all the levers that he has together vis-a-vis India to get to the final deal,” he added.Also Read | Donald Trump to help Pakistan build ‘massive oil reserves’! How much known crude oil does it have & how does that compare to India? Top points to knowRecently, the US has secured trade deals with significant partners including Japan, the UK and the European Union.India's response so far indicates its commitment to protect and advance national interests. The government has also said that it is evaluating the impact of US tariffs.Trump has also targeted the BRICS group calling it anti-US. India is a member of BRICS. After announcing the tariff rate for India, Trump said that talks and negotiations are ongoing. He said India’s tariff rate is partly due to trade issues and partly due to its BRICS membership. Trump has not specified the additional penalty applicable on India, though he has indicated that it may soon be declared.Also Read | Donald Trump’s 25% tariff to hit India’s exports! Which sectors are at maximum risk? Top 5 points to know