US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he had already imposed secondary sanctions on India for buying Russian oil and suggested stricter measures could be in the offing, mentioning possible "phase two" and "phase three" steps.
The comment was made during a bilateral meeting with Polish President Karol Nawrocki in the Oval Office. Trump visibly flared up when a Polish reporter said that while he had expressed disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he had not taken any action.
"How do you know there's no action? Would you say that putting secondary sanctions on India, the largest purchaser outside of China, they're almost equal, would you say there was no action? That cost hundreds of billions of dollars to Russia. You call that no action? And I haven't done phase two yet or phase three. But when you say there's no action, I think you ought to get yourself a new job,” Trump shot back at the Polish reporter.
He continued by saying that a fortnight ago, he had explained clearly: “If India buys, India's got big problems, and that's what happens. So, don't tell me about that.”
When asked about Russian and North Korean leaders Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un appearing alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping at Beijing’s military parade, and whether that could trigger more sanctions on Moscow, Trump pointed to the steps already taken against New Delhi. “Well, I've already done that with regard to India, and we're doing it with regard to other things.” he said.
President Trump, as per his claim, has slapped a 25% tit-for-tat tariff on India, along with another 25% tax specifically on New Delhi's Russian oil imports—totalizing 50% duties from August 27.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the other hand, has stood his ground defending India's position, stating that he cannot give in on the interest of farmers, small and medium enterprises, and rearing cows. "pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it" he declared.
India has vehemently condemned the US actions, calling the tariffs "unjustified and unreasonable”. New Delhi confirmed that, as any major economy, it would do everything required to safeguard its economic security and national interests.
