India should cease purchasing oil from Russia, suggests Trump advisor Navarro.

The United States and India are facing a growing impasse in their relations, with the Biden administration under fire for its handling of India's purchases of Russian oil. Peter Navarro, a White House trade advisor, has criticized the current administration, stating that the Trump administration's approach would have addressed this issue more effectively.

This controversy could potentially delay negotiations over a trade agreement between the two countries and hamper efforts to delay the new US tariffs, which are set to take effect on Aug. 27. The tariffs, amounting to 25%, are a response to India's oil purchases from Russia.

The Trump administration announced these tariffs ahead of President Donald Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, scheduled for this week. The executive order, issued by the Trump administration, cites the "unusual and extraordinary threat" to US national security and foreign policy, and creates a mechanism for US officials to monitor other countries buying Russian oil and potentially recommend economic sanctions.

However, there are no specific US government officials named for appointment in India from August 25, 2021, to negotiate with Indian counterparts regarding the tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil. This lack of official communication has further fuelled the tension between the two nations.

Russia is selling large quantities of oil to both China and India, making it a significant player in the global oil market. Navarro has claimed that India acts as a global clearinghouse for Russian oil, converting embargoed crude into high-value exports while giving Moscow the dollars it needs.

Navarro also argued that if India wants to be a key international partner with the US, it needs to stop buying oil from Russia. This stance has been met with pushback from India's foreign ministry, which argues that the country is being unfairly singled out while the US and European Union continue to purchase certain goods from Russia.

Gordon Chang, a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, has stated that these purchases are helping finance Russia's war against Ukraine. Navarro wrote in the Financial Times that India is "cozying up to both Russia and China."

Meanwhile, the planned visit by US trade negotiators to New Delhi from Aug. 25-29 was called off. This cancellation, combined with the looming tariffs, could have significant implications for the future of US-India trade relations.

Additionally, the executive order does not specify which countries other than India could be targeted for economic sanctions over their purchases of Russian oil. The order also does not mention any specific timeline for the potential imposition of these sanctions.

As the US and India navigate these complex geopolitical challenges, the upcoming summit between President Trump and President Putin in Alaska will undoubtedly be a crucial event. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of this month, adding another layer of complexity to the international stage.