Indian envoy sought tariff relief, asked me to convey message to Trump, claims US Senator

US senator Lindsey Graham (L), Republican of South Carolina, accompanied by President Donald Trump, speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One on their way back to Washington, DC, on January 4, 2026. (AFP)

• Senator Graham said that Indian envoy Kwatra wanted tariffs to ease, citing reduced Russian oil purchases
• Trump has warned India of higher tariffs over Russian oil imports
• India is facing 25% punitive tariffs, on top of 25% trade tariffs, over purchase of Russian crude

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US Senator Lindsey Graham has claimed that India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, sought relief from Washington’s 25 per cent tariff by pointing to New Delhi’s reduced purchases of Russian oil.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One alongside US President Donald Trump, Graham said the issue came up during a meeting at the Indian Ambassador’s residence last month. According to him, Kwatra asked that the message be conveyed directly to Trump.

“I was at the Indian Ambassador's house a month ago, and all he wanted to talk about was how India is buying less Russian oil. And he asked me to tell the President to relieve the 25% tariff,” Graham said.

Kwatra last month hosted some US Senators, including Graham, Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse, Peter Welch, Dan Sullivan and Markwayne Mullin at India House, the official residence of the Ambassador of India in Washington, DC.

Graham also suggested that Trump’s trade policy had influenced India’s energy decisions. “I believe what President Trump did by tariffing India is the chief reason India is buying substantially less Russian oil,” he added.

The remarks come amid trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi, with Trump warning India of further tariffs over its continued imports of Russian crude.

During the same interaction, Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his dissatisfaction. “PM Modi's a very good man. He's a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump said.

India has not officially confirmed Graham’s claim that it has cut back Russian oil purchases. New Delhi has consistently defended its energy trade with Moscow, arguing that such imports are essential to ensuring domestic energy security.

Trump on Sunday warned that Washington could raise tariffs on Indian imports if New Delhi failed to cooperate on what he described as the “Russian oil issue”, according to remarks cited by news agency Reuters during a public address.

“We could raise tariffs on India if they don't help on Russian oil issue,” Trump was quoted as saying, linking the warning to ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.

The comments come just weeks after Trump and Modi held a telephone conversation in which both leaders stressed the importance of sustaining momentum in bilateral trade ties despite ongoing tariff-related friction.