President Donald Trump had been scheduled to attend an annual meeting of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India known as the Quad Summit.

However, it emerged late last week that Trump will skip the event as tensions with India continue to grow. 

Indian protesters display effigy of Trump

According to Newsweek, the president's decision came just weeks after he unveiled a new 25% tariff on Indian goods, with the amount rising to 50% for some products.

That move came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi rebuffed Trump's demand that his country stop purchasing oil from Russia.

The Times of India reported that Trump's stance has sparked significant backlash in India, with attendees at a festival in Nagpur displaying an effigy of the U.S. president.

It was accompanied by placards which read, "By imposing tariffs to intimidate us, they end up regretting India’s strength," and, "The tariffs imposed on our goods will only ruin their business."

Trump accuses India of fueling "Russian War Machine"

Newsweek noted how for his part, Trump lashed out at India in a pair of Truth Social posts, beginning one with, "I don't care what India does with Russia.

"They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World," Trump insisted.

"Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let's keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!" the president declared.

The second post read, "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits."

"They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA," Trump added.

Indian prime minister remains defiant

Meanwhile, the magazine quoted Modi as saying in a speech last week, "I appeal to the citizens of our country to prioritize purchasing goods that are made in India."

"Whether it's decorative items or gifts, let us choose products manufactured within our own nation," the Indian leader stressed.

He later added, "My government will never allow any harm to come to small entrepreneurs, farmers and animal keepers. No matter how much pressure we face, we will continue to strengthen our ability to withstand it."