Washington: US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to resolve the dispute over Washington’s tariff threats linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.
Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil, as Washington seeks to put pressure on countries continuing energy trade with Moscow.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India became a major buyer of Russian oil after the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. He also alleged that India’s purchase and refining of Russian crude helped support Moscow’s war efforts.
However, Navarro struck a conciliatory tone when discussing the issue between Washington and New Delhi. He said Trump and Modi have a “very good working relationship” and would work out the matter themselves.
Navarro also claimed that he may have played a role in encouraging India to move away from Russian oil, referring to an opinion article he recently published in the Financial Times.
The comments come amid growing uncertainty over India-US trade ties, with Washington considering tougher measures against countries that continue purchasing Russian energy. India, meanwhile, has maintained that its energy decisions are guided by national interests and the need for affordable supplies.
The US Senate’s move has intensified concerns over the potential economic impact on countries such as India and China if the proposed tariff measures are implemented.
