New Delhi, India is a "Maharaj" in tariffs and it is running a "profiteering scheme" by using discounted Russian crude oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has said, in yet another sharp criticism of New Delhi.

Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said that the US had long benefited from free trade but was now using tariffs as bargaining chips. He stated that the US had imposed tariffs of up to 50% on India and that China firmly opposed it.

New U.S. taxes on American imports, even at 25 percent, will hurt many Indian businesses and may put vast numbers of people out of work.

Prominent US economist Jeffrey Sachs on Thursday strongly criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep punitive tariffs on India, calling it one of the worst blunders in American foreign policy.

White House trade advisor Peter Navarro claimed that India "didn't not need" Russian oil --- and accused New Delhi of refusing to "recognise its role in the bloodshed".

The envoy’s remarks reflected the sudden thaw in India-China relations against the backdrop of growing strains between New Delhi and Washington

President Trump focuses on the trade in manufactured goods, where India sells more to the U.S. than it buys. But the countries share a balanced trade in services.

Announcement likely to be made during Indian premier's Japan visit later this month, Japanese media reports - Anadolu Ajansı