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International Pressure Increased After The United States Raised Its Tone Against One BRICS Member. The Reason Involves The Escalation In Oil Imports From Russia And The Growing Closeness With China. Amidst The Criticism, Washington Made A Direct Request: That This Country Immediately Leave The Economic Bloc
The climate between the United States and India has gained new tensions after strong statements from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. In an interview, he openly asked New Delhi to reconsider its position within BRICS and harshly suggested that India should abandon the group.
According to Lutnick, the central problem is India’s stance on two points: the increasing purchase of Russian oil and the closeness to China.
He stated that if India continues aligned with BRICS, it will be supporting the main rivals of the U.S. in the geopolitical scenario. “If you support Russia and China, you need to choose: support the U.S., your largest customer, or accept tariffs of 50% on your exports,” he declared.
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Pressure On Russian Oil
One of the direct targets of the criticism is the increase in Indian imports of oil from Russia. Before the war in Ukraine, the volume was less than 2% of the total.
Today, according to Lutnick, it already reaches 40%. For the U.S., this decision represents not only a short-term economic strategy but a problematic alignment with Moscow amid Western sanctions.
Lutnick called the situation a “pure political choice” and said that India needs to decide which side it is on. For Washington, New Delhi is strengthening an axis contrary to the West, even while trying to maintain trade relations with Americans.
Trump Also Criticizes
The controversy gained more fuel after former President Donald Trump also criticized India. On his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that both India and Russia are being “lost” to China.
In an ironic tone, he wrote that the two countries will have a “long and prosperous life together,” reinforcing the narrative that Beijing is dominating cooperation within BRICS.
U.S. Highlights Attractions Of Its Economy
Lutnick insisted that, in the end, everyone ends up depending on the American market. “The U.S. consumer is the largest in the world, and that is where everyone needs to sell,” he stated. He highlighted that the U.S. economy of US$ 30 trillion inevitably becomes the destination for Indian exports.
According to him, neither China nor India would have similar scaling alternatives for their products, and therefore the natural step would be to prioritize Washington.
India’s Response
The criticisms did not go unanswered. The spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, classified the remarks as “incorrect and misleading.”
He stated that the partnership with the U.S. has gone through various challenges and that the country remains committed to an agenda of cooperation based on mutual respect and shared interests.
New Delhi also rejected accusations that BRICS seeks dedollarization or direct confrontation with Washington.
The government reinforced that its foreign policy is guided by strategic autonomy, balancing ties with both the West and emerging countries.
Diplomatic Escalation
The statements from Lutnick indicate an escalation in the U.S. tone against India, traditionally seen as a strategic partner, especially in the face of China.
The pressure for New Delhi to abandon BRICS exposes a larger dispute: the role of the group in the international scenario and the growing competition for influence between Washington and Beijing.
For now, India seems unwilling to give in. But the debate indicates that New Delhi’s choices in trade and energy will continue to be under the spotlight of global diplomacy.
Vida longa aos BRICs! Viva a Índia!