US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that the Trump administration is considering adjustments to the tariffs imposed on India in response to its purchase of Russian oil. This development comes amidst ongoing discussions between the United States and India regarding trade relations and energy cooperation.

The Trump administration had previously imposed an additional 25% tariff on India, leading to a total levy of 50%, which is among the highest in the world. This measure was intended to discourage India from purchasing Russian oil, as the U.S. seeks to isolate Russia economically due to the conflict in Ukraine.

Rubio, in an interview with NBC News, acknowledged the concerns surrounding India's energy ties with Russia. However, he also expressed hope that the situation could be "fixed". He highlighted that President Trump has the authority to take further action and is actively considering options in light of the evolving circumstances.

Rubio also pointed out that several European countries continue to purchase significant amounts of oil and natural gas from Russia, which he described as "absurd". He urged Europe to increase its sanctions against Russia.

These statements followed a recent meeting between Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. The meeting, which was the first face-to-face discussion between the two officials since tensions arose over trade and energy issues, covered a range of bilateral and international topics. Following the talks, Jaishankar conveyed on X (formerly Twitter) that they agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas. Rubio also emphasized the critical importance of the U.S.-India relationship.

While Rubio acknowledged the progress made in discussions with India regarding trade, he did not specify whether the talks addressed other contentious issues such as the H-1B visa fee or U.S. demands for greater access to India's agriculture and dairy sectors.

Despite the imposition of tariffs and ongoing discussions, India has maintained that the truce on the Line of Control with Pakistan was achieved through direct talks between the two countries' Directors General of Military Operations.

The potential adjustments to tariffs on India indicate a nuanced approach by the Trump administration, balancing pressure on Russia with the strategic importance of its relationship with India.