On 4 January 2026, US Senator Lindsey Graham claimed aboard Air Force One that Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra had told him during a meeting “about a month ago” that New Delhi was buying less Russian oil and wanted President Donald Trump to “relieve the 25% tariff” imposed on India over such purchases. The remarks follow Trump’s earlier move to double overall tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in 2025 and his fresh warning on 5 January of even higher duties if Russian crude imports do not fall further. While Indian refiners have begun sharply cutting Russian liftings under pressure of US sanctions and potential trade concessions, New Delhi continues to stress energy security and strategic autonomy, seeking tariff relief without formally aligning with Washington’s coercive approach toward Moscow