US President Donald Trump has threatened India with an unspecified "penalty" over its growing ties with Russia, particularly in defense and energy sectors. This move comes as part of Trump's push for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Here's what's happening ¹:br br - *Trade Tensions*: Trump announced a 25 tariff on Indian imports, effective August 1, citing India's high tariffs and non-monetary trade barriers.br - *Russia Ties*: India is Russia's largest buyer of military equipment, and Russia accounts for over half of India's military hardware. Russia is also India's top oil supplier, providing around 35 of its oil imports.br - *India's Response*: The Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed suggestions of strained India-Russia relations, emphasizing that India's bilateral relationships are independent and based on national interests.br - *Potential Impact*: The tariffs and penalty could affect India's economy, particularly in sectors like agriculture and dairy, which are key areas of focus in trade deal negotiations between the US and India.br br This development has sparked concerns about the future of US-India trade relations and the potential consequences for India's economy ² ³.