Peter Navarro, an advisor for trade at the White House, recently stated that India should stop trading Russian oil if it hopes to align better with the Trump administration. This comes as New Delhi faces an increase in tariffs, which have now reached 50%.
This month, President Trump declared a 25% tariff on Indian goods linked to Russian oil purchases, arguing that India’s actions are aiding Moscow’s military efforts in Ukraine. The new tariffs are set to be implemented next week, stacking on top of an existing 25% tariff on Indian imports.
Navarro reinforced the administration’s stance on Monday, suggesting that revenue from oil sales is beneficial to India’s politically connected energy sectors and, consequently, bolsters Vladimir Putin’s resources.
He criticized India’s reliance on Russian crude oil, calling it both opportunistic and harmful to the broader goal of isolating Putin’s war economy. Navarro mentioned that India essentially acts as a conduit for Russian oil, which allows Moscow to benefit financially while turning sanctioned oil into lucrative exports.
Navarro proposed a “two extension policy” regarding tariffs on Indian imports, arguing it effectively impacts India by limiting its access to the US market.
He emphasized, “If India aspires to be viewed as a strategic partner in the US, it must start acting accordingly.”
India, however, has shown resistance to the threats of increased tariffs and has accused the US administration of hypocrisy. Historically, previous administrations have promoted energy cooperation between India and Russia to stabilize global markets, continuing to spend billions on Russian energy and goods.
In response to the tariff threats, a spokesperson from the Indian Foreign Ministry remarked that India’s situation is both unfair and unreasonable. They affirmed that, like other major economies, India will take necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.
The Navarro op-ed was published just prior to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders following a significant summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
