<h1>US doubles tariffs to 50% over Indian Russian oil imports as leaders affirm special bilateral relationship despite tensions</h1> The US president publicly affirmed a 'special' bilateral relationship while criticizing recent Indian purchases of Russian oil; the Indian prime minister reciprocated the positive assessment. The exchange follows US decision to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, including 25% additional duties tied to those oil purchases, a move India called unfair and unreasonable. Tensions escalated after critical social media posts and disparaging remarks by US officials about India's energy imports, which India formally rejected as inaccurate and misleading, leaving trade and diplomatic ties strained despite leadership assurances of continued friendship.