Sen Lindsey Graham claims Indian Ambassador asked him to mediate with Mr. Trump for lowering 25% penalty tariff
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday (January 4, 2026) asserted that India cut its oil imports from Russia in recent months in an effort to “make him happy”, and to secure the India-U.S. trade deal, even as he threatened more tariffs could “come quickly” if India continues its purchases.
Backing Mr. Trump’s claim, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said that India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Vinay Kwatra had brought up India’s declining oil imports from Russia during a meeting in December 2025, requesting Mr. Graham to ask Mr. Trump to “relieve the tariff” of 25% imposed by the U.S. over and above 25% reciprocal tariffs.
While Mr. Graham didn’t specify a date for the meeting, Mr. Kwatra had hosted a bipartisan U.S. Senate delegation on December 2 at the Embassy in Washington where Mr. Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal were present. Both Senators are leading co-sponsors of a Russia Sanctions Bill that has been introduced in the Senate which mandates up to 500% tariffs on countries that continue to purchase oil or uranium from Russia.
“PM Modi wants to make me happy”: India cut Russian oil imports to reduce tariffs, says Trump
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) did not respond to requests for comments on the claims by the U.S. leaders, who were joined by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during a press conference on board Mr. Trump’s plane. In the past, the MEA has called U.S. imposition of unilateral sanctions “double standards”, given that the U.S. itself buys Russian oil, uranium and critical minerals.
Mr. Trump had made the claim that India had promised to cut Russian oil imports “completely” on several occasions in October 2025 as well. As The Hindu reported on Monday (January 5, 2026), Indian oil importers had cut Russian oil imports from June to October in the year, but imports of Russian oil, along with imports of U.S. oil rose sharply to seven month highs in November. Commerce Ministry Sources quoted in The Hindu report had said despite the cuts, trade negotiations with the U.S. had not moved forward, indicating some “frustration” with the process, in Delhi.
Announcing that he expected the Russian Sanctions Act would be passed soon during the press conference, Mr. Trump asked Mr. Graham to explain what he called a “great legislation” to reporters, adding that he expected India to be amongst countries affected by it. Mr. Graham added that US tariffs had made a number of trade deals possible by putting pressure on the European Union and other countries.
“I was at the Indian ambassador’s house about a month ago and all he wanted to talk about is how they’re buying less Russian oil. Would you tell the president to relieve the tariff? This stuff works,” Mr. Graham claimed.
“They [India] wanted to make me happy,” interjected Mr. Trump. “Basically he wanted to- [Prime Minister] Modi’s a very good man. He’s a good guy. He knew I was unhappy and it was important to make me happy. They do trade and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly and it would be bad for them” he added.
Mr. Graham had earlier claimed that his Bill would help “crush the economies” of countries trading with Russian oil, including India, China and Brazil. On December 2, Mr. Kwatra had photographs of a dinner he hosted for 5 Senators including Mr. Graham.
“[I] Had fruitful conversations on the partnership from- energy and defence cooperation to trade and important global developments. Grateful for their support for a stronger India–U.S. relationship,” Mr. Kwatra said.
According to the Russia sanctions act, that has 85 co-sponsors (out of 100 senators) in the US Senate and more than 150 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, “the U.S. President must increase the rate of duty on all goods and services imported into the United States from countries that knowingly engage in the exchange of Russian-origin uranium and petroleum products to at least 500% relative to the value of such goods and services”.
Modi wants to make me happy, claims Trump, backs Senator claim that India cut Russian oil to bring tariffs down
Sen Lindsey Graham claims Indian Ambassador asked him to mediate with Mr. Trump for lowering 25% penalty tariff
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday (January 4, 2026) asserted that India cut its oil imports from Russia in recent months in an effort to “make him happy”, and to secure the India-U.S. trade deal, even as he threatened more tariffs could “come quickly” if India continues its purchases.
Backing Mr. Trump’s claim, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said that India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Vinay Kwatra had brought up India’s declining oil imports from Russia during a meeting in December 2025, requesting Mr. Graham to ask Mr. Trump to “relieve the tariff” of 25% imposed by the U.S. over and above 25% reciprocal tariffs.
While Mr. Graham didn’t specify a date for the meeting, Mr. Kwatra had hosted a bipartisan U.S. Senate delegation on December 2 at the Embassy in Washington where Mr. Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal were present. Both Senators are leading co-sponsors of a Russia Sanctions Bill that has been introduced in the Senate which mandates up to 500% tariffs on countries that continue to purchase oil or uranium from Russia.
“PM Modi wants to make me happy”: India cut Russian oil imports to reduce tariffs, says Trump
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) did not respond to requests for comments on the claims by the U.S. leaders, who were joined by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during a press conference on board Mr. Trump’s plane. In the past, the MEA has called U.S. imposition of unilateral sanctions “double standards”, given that the U.S. itself buys Russian oil, uranium and critical minerals.
Mr. Trump had made the claim that India had promised to cut Russian oil imports “completely” on several occasions in October 2025 as well. As The Hindu reported on Monday (January 5, 2026), Indian oil importers had cut Russian oil imports from June to October in the year, but imports of Russian oil, along with imports of U.S. oil rose sharply to seven month highs in November. Commerce Ministry Sources quoted in The Hindu report had said despite the cuts, trade negotiations with the U.S. had not moved forward, indicating some “frustration” with the process, in Delhi.
Announcing that he expected the Russian Sanctions Act would be passed soon during the press conference, Mr. Trump asked Mr. Graham to explain what he called a “great legislation” to reporters, adding that he expected India to be amongst countries affected by it. Mr. Graham added that US tariffs had made a number of trade deals possible by putting pressure on the European Union and other countries.
“I was at the Indian ambassador’s house about a month ago and all he wanted to talk about is how they’re buying less Russian oil. Would you tell the president to relieve the tariff? This stuff works,” Mr. Graham claimed.
“They [India] wanted to make me happy,” interjected Mr. Trump. “Basically he wanted to- [Prime Minister] Modi’s a very good man. He’s a good guy. He knew I was unhappy and it was important to make me happy. They do trade and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly and it would be bad for them” he added.
Mr. Graham had earlier claimed that his Bill would help “crush the economies” of countries trading with Russian oil, including India, China and Brazil. On December 2, Mr. Kwatra had photographs of a dinner he hosted for 5 Senators including Mr. Graham.
“[I] Had fruitful conversations on the partnership from- energy and defence cooperation to trade and important global developments. Grateful for their support for a stronger India–U.S. relationship,” Mr. Kwatra said.
According to the Russia sanctions act, that has 85 co-sponsors (out of 100 senators) in the US Senate and more than 150 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, “the U.S. President must increase the rate of duty on all goods and services imported into the United States from countries that knowingly engage in the exchange of Russian-origin uranium and petroleum products to at least 500% relative to the value of such goods and services”.
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