US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed some of the “richest families in India” benefited from the purchase of Russian crude oil, while reiterating plans to boost tariffs on the South Asian nation.

For years, India has balanced close partnerships with both Washington and Moscow, even throughout Ukraine war. Trump is finally demanding it picks a side

Russia expects to continue supplying oil to India despite warnings from the United States, Russian embassy officials in New Delhi said on Wednesday, adding that Moscow hopes trilateral talks will soon take place with India and China.

Indian foreign minister defends crude imports, says buyers free to avoid refined products from India - Anadolu Ajansı

From India recalibrating its foreign policy as ties with the US nosedived and Indian exporters weighing Russia as a viable market, to the UN chief calling famine in Gaza a “failure of humanity” and Iran and European countries agreeing to resume nuclear talks,

It comes as U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India for buying Russian oil.

India and Russia agreed to boost trade ties on Thursday as their foreign ministers met in Moscow, giving little indication that U.S. President Donald Trump's hefty tariffs on India for buying Russian oil would disrupt their relations.

Already, China is on course to be in a significantly advantageous position vis-a-vis India after the August 27 secondary tariffs kick in.