Indian experts believe the U.S. president is trying to gain short-term leverage in trade negotiations with New Delhi.

Jaiswal argued that India only began importing oil from Russia after “traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict” before noting the U.S. appreciated this move at the time as it kept the “global energy markets” stable.

President Trump accused India of aiding Moscow’s war on Ukraine by purchasing Russian energy, derailing trade talks between India and the United States.