In an interview Aug. 3 with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller hurled another round of threats against India for its purchases of Russian oil. “It’s not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing this oil from Russia,” Miller said. “India portrays itself as being one our closest friends in the world, but they don’t accept our products, they impose massive tariffs on us, we also know they engage in a lot of cheating on immigration policies that is very harmful to American workers, and of course we see again the purchasing of oil. So, President Trump wants a tremendous relationship … but we need to get real about dealing with the financing of this war. So … all options are on the table, to deal diplomatically, financially, and otherwise, with the ongoing war in Ukraine so we can achieve peace.”
As can be seen, the level of attack on India goes far beyond mere anger over their evading of U.S. sanctions to trade with Russia. Rather, they have a far nastier tone that seems more aimed at undermining India’s right to an independent foreign policy, and especially at India’s decision to orient toward the BRICS—an institution which the Trump administration is increasingly determined to dismantle.
