India, Jan. 7 -- The issue of high US tariffs on Indian goods has again taken centre stage after a fresh round of remarks by US President Donald Trump. Over the past few days, Trump has warned of tougher trade penalties while also highlighting his personal ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claiming that India has reduced its oil purchases from Russia to avoid US pressure.

Speaking at a House GOP Member Retreat in Washington DC on Tuesday, Trump said he enjoys a strong relationship with PM Modi, even though trade tensions remain.

"I have a very good relationship with him (PM Modi). He's not that happy with me because they're paying a lot of tariffs now. But now they have reduced it very substantially, buying oil from Russia," Tr...