Washington/New Delhi, Aug 19, 2025 — Peter Navarro, senior U.S. trade adviser has called upon India to cease buying Russian crude oil imports, warning that such purchases undermine Western sanctions and undermine global efforts against Moscow regarding Ukraine war.
Navarro, who previously served as White House trade official and remains an advisor within the administration’s advisory circles, recently told reporters that India’s growing dependence on discounted Russian barrels was “unsustainable and unacceptable.” His comments came at a time when Washington is seeking to tighten enforcement of sanctions while maintaining relations with key partners like New Delhi.
Strong Words on Energy Trading
“India has to choose,” Navarro noted during a policy forum in Washington. “You cannot simultaneously serve as an important ally to both America and Russia while also bankrolling Russia’s war machine through crude purchases – this practice must stop.”
Energy tracking agencies report that India has emerged as one of the major buyers of Russian oil since sanctions were implemented in 2022, often refining and exporting refined petroleum products back onto international markets. Moscow offers steep discounts compared with Middle Eastern suppliers; finding an outlet in India’s refineries offers them stability.
India’s Position
New Delhi has consistently justified its purchases as part of a developing economy’s need to prioritize affordable energy for its 1.4 billion citizens. Indian officials also note that their imports do not violate U.S. sanctions frameworks directly, emphasizing their independent foreign policy stance.
India must ensure energy security is non-negotiable,” stated an Indian energy ministry official earlier this month. They plan on continuing to source crude based on national interests and market dynamics.
Diplomatic Frictions
Navarro’s comments underscore a growing tension in U.S.-India relations despite increasing defense and technology cooperation. Washington sees India as a vital counterweight against China in the Indo-Pacific, yet Russia oil imports remain an obstacle.
American officials have repeatedly encouraged New Delhi to reduce purchases from Russian suppliers in favor of Middle Eastern or U.S. suppliers; however, Indian refiners claim this would result in significantly increased costs.
Wider Sanctions Context
These remarks come amid U.S. and EU efforts to enforce more strictly the $60/barrel price cap for Russian crude, while analysts allege India’s purchases above that threshold thwart its effectiveness as sanctions measures.
“India is of key importance,” according to an energy policy expert in Washington. If New Delhi reduces Russia imports, this could prompt Moscow to seek less reliable buyers and further decrease revenues.
New Delhi Struggles with Balancing Act
Diplomats note that India will likely make only gradual adjustments, given both its energy needs and long-standing defense ties with Moscow. At the same time, New Delhi values its growing partnership with Washington on semiconductors, critical minerals and defense technology projects.
India faces the difficulty of balancing competing priorities. “India does not wish to appear as taking sides,” stated a South Asia analyst, but Washington pressure has increased and the rhetoric from Navarro shows this trend.
As Ukraine remains at war, India’s crude purchases remain both an economic lifeline for Moscow and a diplomatic embarrassment to Washington. How New Delhi responds could significantly influence sanctions enforcement as well as U.S.-India relations over time.