Trump calls PM Modi a ‘good man’, says India has ‘reduced’ oil imports from Russia
Washington: US President Donald Trump has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called him a “good man” for “reducing” Russian oil purchases. “Modi is a very good man,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One while returning to the White House from West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday (local time).
“He’s a good man,” he said, responding to a question.
Trump claimed that New Delhi changed its policy after understanding Washington’s displeasure over continued energy purchases from Russia. Referring to PM Modi, Trump said, “He knew I wasn’t happy, and it was important to appease me.”
“They (Indians) actually wanted to appease me. (PM) Modi is a very good man. Yes, he is a good man. He knew I wasn’t happy, and it was important to appease me. They trade, and we can raise tariffs on that very quickly,” Trump said in response to a question initially posed by Senator Lindsey Graham, who was traveling with him on Air Force One. Graham said that US tariff pressure has already forced India to significantly reduce its purchases of Russian oil. He argued that this move is weakening Moscow’s ability to continue its war in Ukraine and shows how effective tariffs are as a foreign policy tool. Speaking to reporters, Graham credited Trump’s imposition of a 25% tariff on India for purchasing Russian crude, saying the move has yielded clear results.
He said, “I really think what he did to India is the main reason India is buying much less Russian oil now.” The president warned that tariff pressure could be rapidly escalated if countries change course. Trump said, “We can increase tariffs on them very quickly,” and added that the trade advantage still rests with the US. Graham said that his legislation would give the president full authority to impose tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian energy at a discount. Graham said, “If you’re buying cheap Russian oil to keep Putin’s war machine running, we’re trying to give the president the ability to make that difficult decision.” Graham said the bill, supported by 85 co-sponsors, would allow tariffs ranging from zero to 500 percent, completely at the president’s discretion. He said this approach is already showing results.
Graham claimed, “I was at the Indian ambassador’s house about a month ago, and all he wanted to talk about was how they were buying less oil from Russia.”
Graham added, “This approach works.”
Trump compared his approach to the Biden administration, which he accused of giving large sums of money to Ukraine. “Biden gave $350 billion,” Trump said. “Now we get the money.”
