US President Donald Trump has pointed to secondary sanctions on India as evidence of his administration’s tough stance against Russia, amid criticism of his approach to Moscow.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Trump dismissed suggestions of inaction, highlighting measures taken against New Delhi, the second-largest purchaser of Russian oil after China.

“How do you know there’s no action? Would you say putting secondary sanctions on India, the largest purchaser outside of China, is almost equal? … If India buys, India’s got big problems, and that’s what happened,” Trump said.

The Trump administration recently imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, raising the total levies to 50 per cent, a move New Delhi has called “unfair and unjustified.” Trump suggested future rounds of sanctions were possible, saying, “I haven’t done phase two yet or phase three.”

In a separate interview, Trump claimed India offered to eliminate tariffs after his actions. “They’ve offered me no tariffs in India anymore. If I didn’t have tariffs, they would never make that offer,” he told interviewer Scott Jennings.

At another briefing, Trump repeated his criticism of India’s trade practices, calling the relationship “one-sided for many years” due to what he described as high tariffs on US goods.

Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump stressed good relations with New Delhi. “We get along with India very well,” he said, while insisting the US must ensure fair trade.

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that negotiations are ongoing and that a bilateral trade deal could be finalized by November.

The sanctions and tariff disputes come as India continues to purchase discounted Russian oil despite Western pressure.