Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 9 US˨INDIA August 8, 2025 US˨INDIA India To Maintain Russian Oil Imports Despite Trump Threats, Government Sources Say I ndia will keep purchasing oil from Russia despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of penalties, two Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday, not wishing to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. On top of a new 25% tariff on India’s exports to the U.S., Trump indicated in a Truth Social post last month that India would face additional penalties for purchases of Russian arms and oil. On Friday, Trump told reporters he had heard that India would no longer be buying oil from Russia. But the sources said there would be no immediate changes. “These are long-term oil contracts,” one of the sources said. “It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight.” Justifying India’s oil purchases from Russia, a second source said India’s imports of Russian grades had helped avoid a global surge in oil prices, which have remained subdued despiteWestern curbs on the Russian oil sector. Unlike Iranian and Venezuelan oil, Russian crude is not subject to direct sanctions, and India is buying it below the current price cap fixed by the European Union, the source said. The NewYork Times also quoted two unnamed senior Indian officials on Saturday as saying there had been no change in Indian government policy. Indian government authorities did not respond to Reuters’ request for official comment on its oil purchas- ing intentions. However, during a regular press briefing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has a “steady and time-tested partnership” with Russia. “On our energy sourcing requirements …we look at what is there available in the markets, what is there on offer, and also what is the prevailing global situation or circumstances,” he said. TheWhite House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. INDIA’S TOP SUPPLIER Trump, who has made ending Russia’s war in Ukraine a priority of his administration since returning to office this year, has expressed growing impatience with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks. He has threatened 100% tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine. Russia is the leading supplier to India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, accounting for about 35% of its overall supplies. India imported about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil from January to June this year, up 1% from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by sources. But while the Indian government may not be deterred by Trump’s threats, sources told Reuters this week that Indian state refiners stopped buying Russian oil after July discounts narrowed to their lowest since 2022 – when sanctions were first imposed on Moscow – due to lower Russian exports and steady demand. Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical Ltd have not sought Russian crude in the past week or so, four sources told Reuters. Nayara Energy – a refinery majority-owned by Russian entities, including oil major Rosneft, and major buyer of Russian oil – was recently sanctioned by the EU. Nayara’s chief executive resigned following the sanc- tions, and three vessels laden with oil products from Nayara Energy have yet to discharge their cargoes, hindered by the new EU sanctions, Reuters reported last week. - Reuters By Shivam Patel and Chandni Shah A view shows oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS/STRINGER/FILE PHOTO U.S. Preparing To Implement $15,000 Visa Bond Program For Select Foreign Travelers T he United States government is preparing to implement a 12-month pilot program that could require foreign nationals from certain countries to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000 when applying for a business or tourism visa. The initia- tive, aimed at addressing high rates of visa overstays and strengthening vetting procedures, will apply to applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visas. The policy is expected to take effect 15 days after its formal announce- ment in the Federal Register and will run through August 2026. Bonds will be imposed on a case-by-case basis, with consular officers authorized to determine whether a bond is necessary and at what amount—$5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. This new measure is part of a broader immigration enforcement agenda that seeks to enhance national security while promoting accountability among foreign visitors. Officials have indicated that the requirement will primarily apply to travelers from countries identi- fied as having high visa overstay rates or inadequate identity verification systems. The policy is also intended to encourage foreign governments to improve internal se- curity mechanisms, including citizenship-by-investment schemes and repatriation processes for their nationals. The bond will be returned in full if the traveler complies with the terms of their visa and departs the United States within the authorized timeframe. While the official list of countries affected by the pro- gram has not yet been published, previous data from U.S. authorities points to several African and Southeast Asian nations with consistently high rates of overstays. In fiscal year 2023 alone, over 300,000 visitors admitted on B-1 and B-2 visas remained in the United States beyond their permitted stay. Countries such as Chad, Laos, Haiti, and Congo have been highlighted in past reports for elevated overstay percentages, and they may be among those subject to the new bond requirement. Notably, citizens of countries participating in the VisaWaiver Program— which includes most of Europe, Japan, South Korea, and others—are exempt from this rule, as are travelers from Canada and Mexico. The introduction of the visa bond program has raised concerns among immigration analysts and travel in- dustry stakeholders. Critics argue that the requirement could discourage genuine travelers from visiting the United States, particularly those from low- and middle- income countries who may find the bond unaffordable despite its refundable nature. Tourism advocates warn that the policy, along with the recently introduced $250 “visa integrity fee,” could negatively impact international visitor numbers and undermine the recovery of the travel industry in key U.S. cities. Despite the criticism, U.S. officials maintain that the pilot program is a necessary step toward greater visa compliance and security. They stress that the bond system will be implemented carefully and will allow for flexibility based on individual risk assessments. While visa bond proposals have been floated in the past, they have rarely been enacted due to logistical challenges and diplomatic concerns. This program represents one of the most structured efforts yet to test the feasibility of such a policy. As the pilot phase begins, the effectiveness of the visa bond program will be closely monitored. Its impact on visa issuance, compliance rates, and international travel dynamics will likely inform future decisions on whether to scale, modify, or discontinue the policy. Until then, travelers from high-risk countries should prepare for the possibility of a significant financial requirement when applying for a U.S. visa. From News Dispatchers A man exits the transit area after clearing immigration and customs on arrival at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, U.S., Septem- ber 24, 2017. PHOTO:REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan/Files