Navarro hits out again at India’s Russian oil ties ahead of US lead negotiator Lynch’s visit

Ahead of the visit of America’s lead negotiator Brendan Lynch to India, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro once again criticised India’s trade practices on Monday.

Navarro, speaking to CNBC International, claimed that Indian refiners had partnered with Russian refiners shortly after the invasion of Ukraine. He described the situation as highly problematic, stating that profits were being generated through unfair trade practices, which were negatively affecting workers. The revenue gained was reportedly being used to purchase Russian oil, with Russia then utilising the funds to acquire weaponry.

He also pointed out that although India was willing to engage in negotiations, its trade policies included very high tariffs.

Lynch, who serves as the Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia is arriving here tonight to hold a day-long talk on India-US bilateral trade deal, which were impacted after imposition of 50 per cent import tariffs by the US on Indian goods.

The meeting comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly reacted to US President Donald Trump's positive assessment of trade ties between the two countries.

Five rounds of negotiations for the India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) have been held, and the sixth round of talks, scheduled from August 25-29, was postponed following the imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods by the US.

"We have indicated that in the past also the discussions are going on, the chief negotiator of the US is visiting India tonight and tomorrow will be holding talks to see what can be the picture. It is not the sixth round of negotiations but it is definitely discussions on the trade talks and trying to see how we can reach an agreement between India and the US," Rajesh Agarwal, India's chief negotiator and a special secretary in the commerce ministry said here on Monday.

He further said India and the US have been engaged in discussions through virtual mode on a weekly basis.

"There have been discussions going on but we were not progressing much because the overall environment was not conducive. Now we see there is a window...," the official said.

He however added that Tuesday's talks should not be seen as a 6th round of talks, but it may decide on future course of action.

"Tomorrow's talks will be a precursor to the sixth round of negotiations," Agarwal said.

(with inputs from PTI)