President Trump accused India of aiding Moscow’s war on Ukraine by purchasing Russian energy, derailing trade talks between India and the United States.

Indian experts believe the U.S. president is trying to gain short-term leverage in trade negotiations with New Delhi.

India fired back at the United States after President Trump pledged to increase tariffs on New Delhi over the country’s purchase of Russian oil. In a statement Monday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the purchase of Russian oil is a “necessity” to “ensure predictable and affordable energy costs” and was once “encouraged”