Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has voiced his disagreement with US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on India, calling it a “misstep” that overlooked key geopolitical realities.
Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, Abbott said that while he continues to support President Trump, the decision to impose punitive tariffs on India was misguided. He pointed out that countries like China, which he described as “serial trade offenders,” did not face similar measures, making the move toward India appear unfair.
Abbott expressed confidence that the issue would not cause lasting damage to the India–US relationship. He described the tariffs as a temporary setback and said he hoped Washington would act quickly to reverse the decision. According to him, India’s democratic values and shared strategic interests with other democracies would ensure that the two nations remain aligned in the long run.
He also criticized the historical pattern of US foreign policy toward South Asia, highlighting that Washington’s consistent tilt toward Pakistan during the Cold War had been a major strategic error. In Abbott’s view, America’s long-term interests are far better served by deepening ties with India, which he called a “liberal democracy,” rather than supporting what he referred to as a “military regime” in Pakistan.
The tariffs in question include a 50 percent duty on Indian goods and an additional 25 percent penalty linked to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The United States has argued that such imports indirectly support Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine.
India, however, has defended its position, stating that its energy imports are determined by market needs and national security priorities, not by geopolitical alignment. Indian officials have consistently maintained that securing affordable energy for its citizens remains a non-negotiable priority.
Adding to the controversy, President Trump recently claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to end India’s imports of Russian oil. The Indian government swiftly denied that any such discussion or assurance had taken place.
