Rubio: Russia Oil Imports a Key Irritant in India-US Relations

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Delhi's relationship with Moscow remains a "point of irritation" in India-US ties.

Rubio's statement comes a day after US President Donald Trump said he would impose 25% tariffs on Indian goods "plus an unspecified penalty", for buying Russian oil and weapons.

In an interview to Fox News Radio on Thursday, Rubio called India an "ally" and "strategic partner" but added that Delhi's purchase of Russian oil was hampering its relationship with Washington.

Russian oil made up 35% to 40% of India's oil imports in 2024 - up from 3% in 2021.

Delhi has defended its purchases of Russian oil, arguing that as a major energy importer, it must buy the cheapest available crude to protect millions of poor Indians from rising costs.

India ramped up its purchase of cheaper Russian crude after the Ukraine war began, triggered by sanctions from the West.

Rubio acknowledged India's reasons for buying Russian oil, noting that the country had huge energy needs and that it was buying from Moscow because of its discounted prices. But he added that this was fuelling the Russian war effort in Ukraine.

"I think what you're seeing the President express is the very clear frustration that with so many other oil vendors available, India continues to buy so much from Russia," he added, alluding to Trump's threat of imposing penalties on Indian companies buying Russian oil and weapons.