On Tuesday, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro stated that US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will directly address the ongoing tariff row related to India’s purchase of Russian oil. Navarro made this statement to reporters at the White House, highlighting the strong working relationship between the two leaders. The issue at hand is the potential imposition of steep US tariffs on countries buying Russian energy, which could affect India-US relations. Navarro mentioned that prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards, it became heavily involved. He also claimed that India’s Russian oil purchases have helped finance Moscow’s war effort. Navarro did not provide specific figures to support his claims but stated that the issue has since been resolved. The remarks came as Washington and New Delhi continue trade negotiations. Earlier, Navarro defended the Trump administration’s tariff policy, saying it encourages foreign companies to build factories in the US and stimulates domestic investment. The Senate recently passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which authorizes tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Mangalorean News