Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, without naming India, has taken a dig at it, saying that New Delhi is providing financial support to “Putin’s bloodthirsty war machine” in the ongoing war against Russia in Ukraine through oil purchases.
He has openly supported US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian products. Boris Johnson wrote on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), ‘Donald Trump has taken a bold, principled and logical step. Finally, those countries that were financially supporting Putin’s brutality are being punished.’
It should be noted that Trump has issued another presidential order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian products, which is in addition to the 25% tariff imposed last week. Thus, the total tariff on Indian imports has now reached 50%. The first phase of the tariff has been in effect since August 7, while the remaining duties will be implemented after 21 days. Following this decision, India has become the country facing the highest tariff in the US market, alongside Brazil.
These statements by Boris Johnson have exposed India’s false narrative under which it has been trying to portray itself as a peace-loving and ally of the West, while behind the scenes, it is fueling the carnage in Ukraine by buying Russian oil.
This statement has come at a time when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the UK, and a free trade agreement was reached with the current British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. But according to Boris Johnson, Modi’s diplomacy is a failed attempt to mislead world opinion.
As usual, India’s Ministry of External Affairs described the US decision as “unfortunate” and reiterated that it is protecting its national interests. According to international observers, India is running its economy by buying cheap oil from Russia on the one hand, while on the other hand, it is trying to get concessions from the West. But now the US, Britain and other Western powers are not ready to accept this double standard.
Trump’s move has not only embarrassed India on the international stage but also indicated that if India does not reconsider its foreign policy and economic behaviour, it may face further global isolation.
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