Stephen Miller Accuses India of Supporting Russia's War Effort with Oil Purchases

Stephen Miller, a prominent aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump, has accused India of indirectly funding Russia's conflict in Ukraine by continuing to purchase oil from the country. During an appearance on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," Miller stated that India's expanding energy transactions with Russia are contributing to the Kremlin's military efforts.

Miller expressed surprise at India's oil acquisitions, noting that the nation is nearly on par with China regarding the volume of Russian oil it buys. He emphasized that Trump had made it clear that any form of support for Russia, whether direct or indirect, is unacceptable.

This criticism surfaces amid increasing U.S. pressure on New Delhi. On Friday, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing India's ongoing procurement of Russian military equipment and energy resources. Trump has also warned of a potential 100% tariff on imports from nations sustaining energy trade with Russia unless Russia agrees to a peace agreement in Ukraine.

Despite the rising pressure, Indian officials assert that importing oil from Russia is vital for the country's energy security and economic stability. Currently, India sources approximately 35-40% of its crude oil from Russia, a significant increase from just 3% in 2021, largely due to Russia offering discounted prices.

Energy experts predict that ceasing Russian oil imports could elevate India's annual import costs by $9 to $11 billion, necessitating a switch to more costly sources in the Middle East and West Africa.

While Miller's comments were sharp, he also acknowledged the strong personal relationship between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing it as "tremendous." Nevertheless, this criticism is one of the most severe from a Trump aide since the Ukraine conflict began.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also identified India's import of Russian oil as a contentious issue in U.S.-India relations. While acknowledging India as a strategic partner, Rubio reiterated concerns from Washington that these energy transactions compromise global efforts to isolate Moscow.

The Indian Embassy in Washington has not yet released an official response, but the Indian government continues to defend its stance, highlighting affordability and the necessity to protect its population, particularly the economically disadvantaged, from high energy costs.

This recent development highlights the increasing tension between New Delhi and Washington as India navigates a pragmatic energy strategy amid an increasingly divided geopolitical landscape. The situation also underscores the broader challenge of balancing national interests with global diplomatic alignments in a time of energy insecurity and shifting alliances.