In a recent Fox News interview, Trump acknowledged that imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods due to its oil imports from Russia has strained US-India relations, igniting anti-US sentiment in India. Despite the economic pressure, India maintains its stance on energy security while pursuing defense ties with the US. The tariff escalation underscores the complexities of India’s balancing act between its defense partnerships with Washington and longstanding ties with Moscow. While Trump expressed willingness to engage with Modi for a resolution, the rift over Russia’s role is likely to complicate future negotiations, as India seeks to protect its significant trade interests.