Trump's Adviser Accuses India Of Financing Russia In War With Ukraine

JAKARTA - Presidential adviser Donald Trump accused India of effectively financing Russia's war in Ukraine by buying oil from Moscow, after the US leader stepped up pressure on New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil.

"What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is unacceptable for India to continue to finance this war by buying oil from Russia," said Stephen Miller, Deputy White House Chief of Staff, and one of Trump's most influential advisers.

Miller's criticism is one of the hardest ever made by the Trump administration against one of the United States' main partners in the Indo-Pacific.

"People will be surprised to learn that India is basically tied to China in purchasing Russian oil. That's an astonishing fact," Miller said in Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" program.

The Indian Embassy in Washington has not responded to a request for comment.

Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday New Delhi would continue to buy oil from Moscow despite US threats.

The 25% tariff for Indian products came into effect on Friday as a result of purchases of military equipment and energy from Russia. Trump also threatened to impose a 100% tariff on US imports of countries buying Russian oil unless Moscow reached a major peace agreement with Ukraine.

Miller reduced his criticism by recording Trump's relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he described as "extraordinary."