White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has criticized India’s purchases of Russian crude oil, claiming they are funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine and calling for them to cease.

In an opinion piece published in the Financial Times, Navarro stated, “If India wants to be treated as a strategic partner of the US, it needs to start acting like one.”

Navarro described India’s role as a “global clearinghouse” for Russian oil, where embargoed crude is converted into high-value exports, thereby providing Moscow with essential funds. He expressed concerns about transferring advanced US military capabilities to India, given New Delhi’s increasing ties with both Russia and China.

India’s Foreign Ministry has defended its actions, arguing that the country is being unfairly targeted for buying Russian oil while the US and European Union continue to engage in trade with Russia. Recently, US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, raising total tariffs on imports from India to 50%.

As tensions rise, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India for discussions on border disputes.

Additionally, a planned visit by US trade negotiators to New Delhi from August 25-29 has been canceled, delaying negotiations on a proposed trade agreement and diminishing hopes for relief from the newly imposed tariffs on Indian goods.