August 17, 2025

Watch out! The big fear of new US tariffs on India might just be cooling down. Former diplomat Veena Sikri feels hopeful after the recent fiery face-to-face between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. This meeting, which sparked big talks about world peace and trade, could change the game for India’s trade with the US. In a lively interview with ANI, Sikri revealed, “From President Trump's side, I think there is some kind of discussion on this, definitely with President Putin, and it seems that an understanding has been reached that tariffs on Russia's oil sales to China, India, and even the EU do not need to be imposed.” Could this mean a relief for India from harsh new taxes? Sikri thinks so! She added, “There might even be a possibility of trade between Russia and America. So, there is talk of that... President Putin talked about it, saying, 'Oh yes, we have good trade with the USA.'” Before the Alaska summit, the news was gloomy. The US was threatening to slap steep tariffs on India because India was buying Russian oil. One powerful US official, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, had warned, “It’s put up or shut up time… We put secondary tariffs on the Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see if things don’t go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up.” But Sikri shared how the tone has changed since that tense talk in Alaska. “After the meeting, even journalists asked President Trump about China buying lots of Russian oil. Trump replied that he's going to wait for a few weeks, and maybe it may not be necessary to put tariffs,” she said. President Trump himself said the talks with Putin “went really well.” He also caught up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, several European leaders, and the NATO Secretary General to discuss peace and trade. This summit came just after Trump announced a 50 per cent tariff on India, including a 25 per cent extra duty for buying Russian oil. Now, with this fresh friendly handshake between Trump and Putin, the dreaded extra duties may just stay in the shadows for a while. Could this be the start of smoother, win-win trade between these big countries? Only time will tell, but the air smells sweeter than before!

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Tags: Us tariffs, India, Russia oil, Trump-putin meeting, Alaska summit, Trade relations,