The US has been targeting India for a long time. From Donald Trump repeatedly taking credit for mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, to later levelling tariffs on Indian-produced exports. Recently, US President Donald Trump has increased tariffs on Indian imports to a staggering 50 percent, including a 25 percent additional duties for India’s purchases of Russian crude oil, which began on August 27.
How did India overtake other suppliers to become Ukraine’s top diesel source?
The United States continues to attempt to persuade India to stop purchasing cheap crude oil from Russia, and in this context, US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on India. The paradox is that Ukraine, which is engaged in a war against Russia, is currently relying on fuel supplies from India to meet its energy needs.
Why is Ukraine relying heavily on Indian diesel now?
According to data from Ukrainian oil market analytics firm NaftoRynok, in July 2025, India emerged as Ukraine’s largest diesel supplier. India supplied 15.5% of Ukraine’s total diesel demand, exporting on average around 2,700 tonnes of diesel per day. This also marked July as one of India’s strongest export months of the year.
Media reports allege that the diesel coming from India does not go directly to Ukraine. It is routed through Romania by the Danube River, and it goes through Turkey’s Opet terminal before arriving in Ukraine. In July, Slovakia (15%), Greece (13.5%), Turkey (12.4%), and Lithuania (11.4%) were also among suppliers. While there was growth from all suppliers, India was growing the fastest, leading the way.
Analysts, cited by the Ukrainian research firm, stated that some of the diesel may have been based on Russian-origin crude. However, there has been no public statement on this from officials. This exact point has given the US and Western countries a means to take a sharper stance against India.
Trump issued an executive order on August 6 placing an additional 25% tariff on all Indian imports, resulting in total tariffs of 50%. Another 25% tariff took effect on August 27. The decision to levy tariffs was made by President Trump based on India’s continued purchases of discounted Russian crude oil, and described both India and Russia as “dead economies.”
“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!” the US President said in the post.
Soon, after the US President’s remark, India said that “the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable”. A statement by the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that the government will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.
STORY HLIGHLIGHTS
- India supplied 15.5% of Ukraine’s total diesel demand, exporting on average around 2,700 tonnes of diesel per day.
- India emerged as Ukraine’s largest diesel supplier.
- On August 6, the US slapped 25 per cent additional tariff on India for buying Russian oil.
- New Delhi called the tariff action “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”.
How are India-US trade relations being impacted?
On August 6, the US slapped 25 per cent additional tariff on India for buying Russian oil, doubling the total tariff to 50 per cent and catapulting the country to one facing the highest import duties among Washington’s trade partners. New Delhi called the tariff action “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”, and said it would take “all actions necessary” to “protect its national interests.” Trump’s 50% tariff has impacted relations between India and the U.S., though India’s diesel exports are growing its prominence on the world stage. Energy is clearly more than fuel; energy is a weapon of geopolitics.
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