White House trade adviser Peter Navarro stated India’s purchases of Russian crude have been funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine and had to cease, including that New Delhi was “now cozying up to both Russia and China.”
“If India wants to be treated as a strategic partner of the U.S., it needs to start acting like one,” Mr. Navarro wrote in an opinion piece printed in the Financial Times.
EXPLAINED | Will India cave in to U.S. strain on Russian oil?
The Ministry of External Affairs has beforehand stated India is being unfairly singled out for getting Russian oil whereas the United States and European Union proceed to purchase items from Russia. U.S. President Donald Trump levied a further 25% tariff on Indian items earlier this month, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil, taking complete tariffs on imports from India to 50%.
“India acts as a global clearinghouse for Russian oil, converting embargoed crude into high-value exports while giving Moscow the dollars it needs,” Mr. Navarro stated.
The adviser additionally stated it was dangerous to switch cutting-edge U.S. army capabilities to India as New Delhi was “now cozying up to both Russia and China.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is about to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the finish of the month whereas Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting India from Monday (August 18, 2025) for talks on the disputed border between the 2 nations.
Also Read | India ‘fully engaged’ with U.S. on trade deal, says Commerce Secretary
A deliberate go to by U.S. trade negotiators to New Delhi from August 25-29 has been referred to as off, a supply stated over the weekend, delaying talks on a proposed trade settlement and dashing hopes of reduction from further U.S. tariffs on Indian items from August 27.
