India, which now faces among the highest tariff rates imposed by the US, called the levy "unjustified and unreasonable".

Russia and India stressed their commitment to a "strategic partnership" in bilateral security talks in Moscow on Thursday, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced higher tariffs on imports from India because of its purchases of Russian oil.

Tariffs on Indian exports to the United States will surge to 50 percent by late August, as part of an effort by President Trump to pressure Russia into resolving its war in Ukraine.