WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said Sunday that President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Indian imports as part of an “aggressive economic leverage” strategy to push Russia toward ending its war in Ukraine.

Vance made the remarks during an interview on NBC News’ Meet the Press. He said Trump’s decision to impose “secondary tariffs on India” was designed to make it harder for Moscow to profit from its oil exports, a key source of revenue for the Russian war effort.

“Trump has applied aggressive economic leverage, for example, secondary tariffs on India, to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy,” Vance said. He added that the United States is offering Russia a path back into the world economy if it ends its bombing campaign in Ukraine.

According to Vance, the Trump administration believes both Russia and Ukraine have shown “significant concessions” in recent weeks, raising hopes for negotiations. He insisted Washington remains confident it can broker peace despite tensions following Trump’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Relations between New Delhi and Washington have worsened since Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent earlier this month. That includes an additional 25 percent duty directly tied to India’s purchase of discounted Russian crude oil.

The U.S. argues that India’s oil imports help fund Moscow’s military campaign. India strongly denies the claim, saying its energy procurement is based on national interest and market dynamics.

Indian officials also point out that Western nations, including Europe and the United States, continue to purchase Russian energy in different forms.

On Saturday, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar dismissed Washington’s criticism at an event in New Delhi. “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business,” he said.

Jaishankar argued that no one is forced to buy oil or refined products from India. “If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it,” he said.

New Delhi began purchasing Russian oil at discounted prices after Western sanctions on Moscow disrupted global markets. India says its decision was pragmatic, aimed at ensuring affordable energy for its fast-growing economy.

While Washington has repeatedly criticized India’s oil imports, it has not targeted China, the largest buyer of Russian crude. The United States has also refrained from issuing harsh statements against European countries that continue importing Russian natural gas.

The selective focus on India has fueled resentment in New Delhi, which sees Washington’s stance as unfair and politically motivated.

Earlier this year, Vance visited India and called for New Delhi to drop non-tariff barriers and expand access for American businesses. He urged India to increase imports of U.S. energy and defense equipment as part of a broader partnership for a “prosperous and peaceful” 21st century.

Despite the sharp disagreements over oil, both nations have continued to stress the importance of long-term ties. Defense cooperation, technology transfers, and regional security remain central to the U.S.-India relationship.

The tariff hike marks one of the most significant challenges in U.S.-India relations in recent years. While Washington views the move as a necessary tool to isolate Russia, New Delhi insists it will not compromise its energy security.

With the war in Ukraine entering its fourth year, the dispute over Russian oil has added new strain to a partnership that both sides consider vital for global stability.

As Vance put it during his interview, the Trump administration believes it can still broker peace. But India’s rejection of U.S. pressure shows how deeply energy politics now shapes the future of international diplomacy.