The White House's abrupt move to double duties on Indian goods over its Russian oil purchases came with little warning and no clear path forward.

India's foreign minister said on Saturday that trade negotiations with Washington are continuing but there are lines that New Delhi needs to defend, just days before hefty additional U.S. tariffs are due to hit.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil, bringing the combined tariffs imposed by the United States on its ally to 50%.

According to recent filings with the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the contract, signed between Mercury and the Embassy of India, spans from mid-August to mid-November 2025,

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said Thursday that he doesn’t expect President Trump to extend the timeline on doubling tariffs on India as a penalty for buying Russian oil beyond next

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro again criticized India for its ongoing purchases of Russian oil and said he anticipates the planned 50% punitive tariffs on Indian imports will take effect next week.

His remarks follow S Jaishankar’s meeting with Putin in Moscow on August 21, days after a less fruitful discussion with US President Donald Trump regarding the Ukraine war.