A top aide to President Donald Trump has accused India of helping finance Russia’s war in Ukraine through its continued oil purchases, as Washington increases pressure on New Delhi with new tariffs and warnings.

A senior aide to President Donald Trump on Sunday accused India of indirectly funding Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to purchase oil from Moscow, as the U.S. administration ramped up pressure on New Delhi to halt such imports.

Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff and one of his most influential advisers, said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures: “What the President made clear is that it is unacceptable for India to keep financing this war through its oil purchases from Russia.”

Miller’s remarks marked one of the Trump administration’s strongest rebukes yet of India, a key U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific, over its energy ties with Russia.

“People will be shocked to learn that India is now virtually tied with China in terms of Russian oil imports. That’s an astonishing fact,” Miller added.

The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment. However, Indian government officials told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi would continue buying oil from Russia despite warnings from Washington.

A 25% tariff on Indian goods came into effect on Friday, imposed in response to India’s ongoing defence and energy dealings with Russia. Trump has also warned that countries continuing to import Russian oil could face tariffs of up to 100% on their exports to the U.S., unless Moscow agrees to a major peace agreement in Ukraine.

Despite the sharp rhetoric, Miller highlighted Trump’s “tremendous” relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signalling that ties between the two leaders remain strong.

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