Moscow: The Kremlin announced that it does not recognize US President Donald Trump's threats to impose higher tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil as legitimate. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed reporters on Tuesday, stating that such threats are seen as attempts to coerce countries into ceasing trade with Russia.

According to Anadolu Agency, Peskov emphasized that sovereign nations have the autonomy to select their trade and economic partners based on their national interests. The statement came in response to remarks made by the Indian Foreign Ministry following Trump's comments over the weekend.

President Trump had taken to Truth Social on Sunday, expressing his intention to raise tariffs on India, accusing the country of profiting from the resale of Russian oil. He criticized India's actions, suggesting that they disregarded the human cost of the conflict in Ukraine. However, Trump did not provide specifics regarding the potential tariff increase's scope or timeline.

In retaliation, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal highlighted on Monday that the US initially encouraged India's oil imports from Russia at the onset of the Moscow-Kyiv war, aiming to enhance global energy market stability. Jaiswal defined the US and European Union's targeting of India for these imports as "unjustified and unreasonable."

The Indian statement reinforced that as a major economy, India would take all necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic security in light of the situation.