Washington: US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to work together to resolve the dispute surrounding India’s purchases of Russian crude oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.
Navarro’s comments come amid growing US pressure on countries that continue to buy Russian oil, with Washington arguing that such purchases provide revenue that supports Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India’s involvement in the Russian oil trade increased significantly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He also alleged that India had been involved in selling refined petroleum products linked to Russian supplies.
The remarks followed the US Senate’s passage of a bill that would empower the President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the largest purchasers of Russian oil. The proposed measure is aimed at increasing economic pressure on countries that continue to conduct significant energy trade with Moscow.
Navarro also referred to his recent opinion article in the Financial Times, suggesting that his public criticism may have contributed to the shift in India’s approach to Russian oil purchases.
Despite the ongoing disagreement, Navarro struck a conciliatory tone when discussing the relationship between Trump and Modi. He said the two leaders have a strong working relationship and would address the matter directly between themselves.
The comments come at a sensitive time for India-US economic ties, as New Delhi seeks to protect its energy interests while facing the possibility of additional trade measures from Washington over its continued engagement with Russia.
