Trump wanted India off Russian oil. His war with Iran is now undermining that goal

For much of last year, Washington sought to starve Moscow's war machine of cash, in part by removing one of its most loyal customers: India.

Under President Donald Trump's pressure campaign, the White House slapped high tariffs on many of New Delhi's exports and sanctioned two of the Kremlin's largest oil firms.

The strategy appeared to be working. While India didn't quit its Russian oil habit entirely, it sharply reduced its purchases in favor of supplies from the Middle East.