Overview

• White House trade adviser Peter Navarro blamed India’s Russian oil purchases for prolonging the Ukraine war, labeled the conflict “Modi’s war,” and described Indians as “arrogant” in new TV remarks.
• The U.S. tariff rate on many Indian goods rose to about 50% on August 27 after a new 25% penalty was added to earlier duties, and Navarro said a 25% reduction could follow if India halts Russian energy imports.
• New Delhi reiterated that buying discounted crude is a sovereign decision driven by affordability for 1.4 billion people, while former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal condemned what he called U.S. “loathsome hypocrisy.”
• Ukraine’s ambassador to India said Kyiv is not pressuring New Delhi over its oil trade with Russia, calling India a sovereign country that must defend its national interests.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described ties as complicated, urged European partners to align on India tariffs, and predicted the two sides would eventually reach a deal, even as reports of U.S.-Russia energy talks fueled double-standard claims.