White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has sharply criticized India’s ongoing purchases of Russian crude oil, claiming the revenue helps fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Writing in the Financial Times, Navarro argued that India was acting as a “clearinghouse” for Russian oil, converting sanctioned crude into valuable exports while funneling vital dollars to Russia’s economy. He described India’s dependence on Russian oil as both “opportunistic and damaging” to international efforts to isolate Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
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India, the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian oil after China, sources more than 30 percent of its energy from Moscow. This has placed it at the center of U.S. criticism, with Navarro warning that India’s stance weakens Western sanctions. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump escalated tensions by imposing a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, further straining bilateral ties.
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Defending his country on Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to shield Indian farmers from the impact of U.S. tariffs, asserting that India would not compromise its agricultural interests. Despite strong defense ties with Russia, including the acquisition of advanced systems such as the S-400, New Delhi has simultaneously sought to deepen its strategic partnership with Washington. Annual trade between the U.S. and India stands at $128 billion, though Washington remains critical of a $45 billion deficit in India’s favor.
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The growing pressure has also complicated India’s regional diplomacy. Modi is expected to visit China later this month, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has scheduled talks in New Delhi on longstanding border disputes. Navarro accused India of “cozying up” to both Russia and China, warning that Washington may reconsider the transfer of advanced U.S. defense technology if New Delhi does not align more closely with American strategic objectives.
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Navarro’s remarks follow earlier criticism from Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, who labeled India’s Russian oil imports “unacceptable.” India, however, has pushed back, saying it is being unfairly targeted since both the U.S. and EU continue to trade with Russia. The EU, for instance, imported $105.6 billion worth of Russian gas since the war began—nearly three-quarters of Moscow’s 2024 defense budget—despite sanctions on other sectors.
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Meanwhile, U.S.-India trade talks remain in limbo after Washington canceled a planned negotiating visit to New Delhi later this month. The proposed free trade agreement was expected to ease tariffs and bolster ties, but the latest rift has cast uncertainty over the deal. For now, India continues to navigate between its long-standing partnership with Russia and the mounting pressure from Washington to choose sides in the Ukraine conflict.
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