White House advisor warns India over Russian oil purchases
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US advisor Peter Navarro says India’s Russian oil imports fund the war in Ukraine, warning India that ties with US are at risk.
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White House trade counselor Peter Navarro walks outside the White House after a television interview, on July 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro has warned that India’s continued imports of Russian crude are helping to support Moscow during the war in Ukraine and must come to an end.
Writing in the Financial Times (FT) on Monday, Navarro said New Delhi was "now cozying up to both Russia and China" and risked its standing as a US strategic partner, adding that "If India wants to be treated as a strategic partner of the US, it needs to start acting like one."
US President Donald Trump announced earlier this month an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, and raising overall tariffs on imports from India to 50%.
Navarro accused New Delhi of acting as "a global clearinghouse for Russian oil, converting embargoed crude into high-value exports while giving Moscow the dollars it needs," warning that India’s close ties with both Russia and China made it a risky partner for the transfer of advanced US military technology.
India defends Russian oil imports
India has previously pushed back against criticism of its Russian energy purchases, arguing that it is being unfairly singled out. The country's Foreign Ministry stressed that while India continues to import Russian crude, both the US and the European Union maintain significant trade flows with Russia.
Despite US pressure, India’s largest refiner, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), confirmed it would keep buying Russian crude based on market economics.
Anuj Jain, IOC’s head of finance, said the company processed about 24% Russian oil in the June quarter, compared to an average of 22% in the 2024/25 fiscal year. He added that purchases for the September quarter were continuing, with discounts on Russian oil averaging around $1.50 per barrel against the Dubai benchmark.
While trade tensions with Washington escalate, India and China are cautiously improving relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi began talks in New Delhi on Monday over the disputed border issue.
Meanwhile, a planned visit by US trade negotiators to New Delhi from August 25–29 has been canceled, delaying talks on a proposed trade agreement. The cancellation has dashed hopes of relief from the additional tariffs set to take effect from August 27.
