Earlier this month, Trump imposed a 25% penalty on India in addition to 25% tariffs for buying oil and weapons from Russia. The new rate will come into effect on 27 August. Delhi's increased imports of cheap Russian crude since the Ukraine war has caused a strain in its ties with the US and impacted negotiations on a trade deal.

Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong Xu said China will stand with India to uphold the multilateral trading system at a time when the US is using tariffs.

China has come out strongly against Washington’s tariff policy targeting India, with its envoy in New Delhi stressing that Beijing and New Delhi are “partners, not rivals” and should focus on cooperation instead of suspicion.