Trump admits tariffs on India over Russian oil ‘caused a rift’, repeats 'solved seven wars' claim

File photo of US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his decision to impose tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil has strained ties with New Delhi.

“Look, India was their biggest customer. I put a 50 per cent tariff on India because they're buying oil from Russia. That's not an easy thing to do. That's a big deal and it causes a rift with India,” Trump said in an interview with ‘Fox and Friends’ on Friday when asked what clamping down on Russian President Vladimir Putin involves.

“But I've already done it. I've done a lot,” he added. “And remember this is a Europe problem much more than our problem.”

Trump also repeated his claim that he has resolved multiple global conflicts during his second term in office. “I solved seven wars. I did so many, including Pakistan and India, but big ones, some were unsolvable, Congo and Rwanda. I solved it. It was going on for 31 years, millions of people killed. I solve wars that was unsolvable,” he said.

The remarks come two days after the US President signalled a thaw in the bilateral chill between the two countries. On Wednesday, he said said he feels “certain” that there will be "no difficulty" for the two countries to come to a “successful conclusion” in trade talks and he looks forward to speaking with his "very good friend” Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming weeks.

Responding to the post, Prime Minister Modi in a post on X on Wednesday expressed confidence that the ongoing negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the partnership between them. India and the US are close friends and natural partners, Modi said, adding that both countries are working to conclude the trade discussions at the earliest.

Trump’s comments signal a significant thaw in bilateral relations as ties between the two countries reeled under possibly the worst phase in over two decades amid tensions over tariffs and Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil.

Trump’s pick for US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday that he hopes the tariff dispute with New Delhi will be resolved “in the next few weeks.” He said Washington and New Delhi are not "that far apart right now" on the trade deal, adding that the two countries are now discussing the "nitty-gritty" of the deal.

Trump has doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for India's purchase of Russian crude oil. India described the US action as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".