US Senator Lindsey Graham urges India to use influence with Russia to end Ukraine conflict.

US Senator Lindsey Graham urges India to use its influence with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, calling it a significant step to improve India-US relations. Graham notes that India is the second-largest purchaser of Putin's oil, which funds the war effort. He hopes Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need to end the war in Ukraine justly and honorably during a recent phone call with Putin. Graham believes India has influence in the matter and hopes they will use it wisely.

US Senator Lindsey Graham has urged India to leverage its significant influence as the second-largest purchaser of Russian oil to pressure Vladimir Putin to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Graham believes that India's substantial oil imports from Russia are financing the conflict and that India can play a crucial role in ending it [2].

In a recent statement, Graham noted that India's continued oil purchases from Russia are exacerbating the situation in Ukraine. He emphasized that India's influence over Russia could be pivotal in bringing about a resolution to the ongoing conflict [2]. Graham hopes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will use his recent phone call with Putin to emphasize the need for a just and honorable end to the war [2].

India's oil imports from Russia have significantly increased since the conflict began, with Russian oil now constituting between 35-40% of India's total crude purchases [1]. Despite the US's threats of tariffs and penalties, India has so far refused to halt its oil trade with Russia. Officials have dismissed rumors that India has stopped buying Russian oil, with foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal characterizing India-Russia relations as a "steady and time-tested partnership" [1].

Graham's call for India to use its influence comes as the US continues to pressure both India and China to cease their oil imports from Russia. The Trump administration has threatened 100% tariffs on China and an additional 25% tariff on India for its continued oil purchases from Russia [1]. However, both countries have maintained a hard stance, with China asserting its energy independence and India emphasizing its long-standing partnership with Russia [1].

The US's efforts to pressure Russia through China and India have so far been unsuccessful, with both nations continuing to buy Russian crude oil despite the threats [1]. Graham's call for India to use its influence is a significant step in the US's broader strategy to end the Russia-Ukraine war. However, the effectiveness of India's role in pressuring Russia remains uncertain, given the complex dynamics of the conflict and the resilience of Russia's economic ties with India and China.

References:
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/how-india-china-may-not-come-to-trumps-rescue-to-get-putin-to-stop-russia-ukraine-war/articleshow/123099559.cms
[2] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/you-are-buying-oil-from-india-senator-lindsey-grahams-warning-to-european-friends-we-are-watching/articleshow/123168136.cms