An important meeting was held in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In this meeting, which lasted for about 2 hours and 45 minutes, many global issues were discussed, in which the Russia-Ukraine war was the most important. But the most shocking statement after this meeting was about India.
Pressured on India, Russia was forced to negotiate: Trump’s claim
US President Donald Trump made a big claim in an interview and said that the threat of tariffs on India forced Russia to come to the negotiating table. Trump said that when the US warned India that it would face heavy import duties if it did not stop buying oil from Russia, then India slowly began to back down. According to Trump, India was a big and important customer for Russia and as soon as India started to distance itself from Russian oil, Russia got a big shock. Trump said, “When we told India to stop buying oil from Russia or face heavy tariffs, India had to wash its hands of Russian oil.” Afterwards, Putin took the initiative to speak on the phone and expressed his desire to meet. Trump believes that it is the effect of America’s strict economic policy that Russia is now ready to negotiate.
India’s strict stance: No interruption in oil purchases
Despite Trump’s claims, India has clarified its policy and said that its oil purchases are determined purely on economic basis and there is no ban on oil imports from Russia. Indian Oil Corporation Chairman AS Sawhney has also confirmed that India purchases oil keeping in mind its energy needs. Also, the Ministry of External Affairs has agreed to unfair and unilateral tariffs imposed by the US on India. India has clearly said that its priority is to maintain its energy security and based on this it will take its decisions.
What will be the tariff on India? August 27 is an important date
The Trump administration has hinted that a 25 percent import tariff could be imposed on India if necessary, especially if India continues to buy oil from Russia. This tariff is likely to be implemented from August 27. However, after the recent meeting with Putin, it is believed that this decision may be delayed for a few weeks. Trump has also said that no final decision has been taken on this matter after the talks with Putin and he will have to consider it again after two-three weeks.
The meeting was inconclusive, but the conversation will continue
This meeting of Trump and Putin could not give any concrete solution to end the war in Ukraine. The talks between the two leaders were positive, but they could not reach any sort of agreement. Immediately after the meeting, Putin proposed to hold the next Russia-US summit in Moscow. Trump responded by saying that this proposal may cause some controversy and may also face criticism, but it cannot be completely rejected.
Another important thing came out during the meeting when Putin said that if Trump was the president of the United States in 2022, there would probably not be a war in Ukraine. Trump also took this statement seriously and said that he could have handled the situation better.