Trump has imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil. (AI image)

The Donald Trump administration has again called on India to stop purchasing crude oil from Russia, adding that India needs to act like a strategic partner of the US. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has in a column in the Financial Times notes that India is looking to deepen ties with Russia and China. India is ‘now cozying up to both Russia and China,” he says.“If India wants to be treated as a strategic partner of the US, it needs to start acting like one,” Navarro has said in the column according to a Reuters report. Navarro is of the view that India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil is helping fund the Russia-Ukraine war.

US problem with India-Russia crude trade

A scheduled visit by US trade negotiators to New Delhi from August 25-29 has been canceled. This postpones discussions on a proposed trade agreement and diminishes expectations for relief from additional US tariffs on Indian goods starting August 27.“India acts as a global clearinghouse for Russian oil, converting embargoed crude into high-value exports while giving Moscow the dollars it needs,” he said.Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil, which brought the total tariffs on imports from India to 50%.The adviser also expressed concerns about the risks of transferring advanced US military technology to India, as New Delhi is “increasingly aligning with both Russia and China.” China and India are discreetly and cautiously enhancing their relationship amidst the uncertainty of Trump’s policies towards both nations.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India starting Monday for discussions on their disputed border.Foreign Ministry has previously argued that India is being unfairly targeted for buying Russian oil, while the United States and European Union continue to trade with Russia.Incidentally, the Trump administration has shown reluctance to impose additional tariffs on China, which is the largest procurer of Russia’s oil.