India’s Ambassador discusses energy trade with Trump ally Graham amid US Tariff dispute

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, stated on Saturday, August 9, that he had spoken with Trump ally and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham about increasing energy trade between the two countries.

The move signals a potential thaw amid heated trade tensions, following Trump’s imposition of a total 50% tariff on India, amid repeated criticism over its purchase of Russian oil.   

Kwatra shared the “Indian perspective” on energy security with Senator Graham, who previously said that helping US President Donald Trump end the war in Ukraine would be the most consequential thing that India could do. 

Spoke to Senator @LindseyGrahamSC and shared with him the Indian perspective on our energy security including increasing energy trade with the United States.

— Amb Vinay Mohan Kwatra (@AmbVMKwatra) August 9, 2025

India now faces the highest US tariff of all Asian countries. Trump on July 31 announced a 25% reciprocal tariff on India, followed by an additional 25% tariff this week, accusing India of “directly or indirectly” importing oil from Russia. 

Senator Graham had previously taken a hard stance on India, stating that countries like India and China, buying oil from Russia, should face a 100% tariff. 

The American senator, in a post on social media, said that it will be “consequential” in improving relations between Washington and Delhi.

“As I have been telling my friends in India, one of the most consequential things they could do to improve India-US relations is to help President Trump end this bloodbath in Ukraine,” Graham posted on Friday.

Even though the government has accused the Trump Administration of unfair trade practices, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence over the matter on Thursday (August 7) and said he will not compromise on national interest, especially that of the country’s farmers.

Also Read: Trump rules out more India talks until Russian oil, trade imbalance issues are resolved 

“For us, our farmers’ welfare is supreme…India will never compromise on the well-being of its farmers, dairy sector and fishermen. And I know personally I will have to pay a heavy price for it,” Modi said.

The Ministry of External Affairs had called out the double standards that the US showed by targeting India and stated that India’s imports are determined by market factors and the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India.