White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said India's purchases of Russian crude were funding Moscow's war in Ukraine and had to stop, adding that New Delhi was "now cozying up to both Russia and China.

Not only did Peter Navarro hit out at India's purchases of Russian oil, he also flagged New Delhi's close ties with Moscow and Beijing.

Threatened by Washington with 50% tariffs, India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has responded by turning to its powerful neighbors. The Indian foreign minister is set to visit Russia soon, while the Chinese foreign minister is expected in New Delhi on Monday.

We've been collating material since first thing following reports that a Russian oil refinery is on fire following an apparent drone strike overnight. Russian local officials say the blaze was caused by falling drone debris. The Ukrainians have yet to comment.

India, which has long pursued a policy of nonalignment, had gradually moved closer to the U.S. over the last two decades.

The Indian Air Force will soon retire its remaining contingent of Soviet-era MiG-21 fighters after six decades of service.

India's equity benchmarks are likely to open marginally higher on Thursday, tracking the broader sentiment in Asia, but caution ahead of Russia-U.S. talks over the war in Ukraine could cap the upside in a holiday-truncated week.

The trade growth revelation has stirred anger in India, which faces punitive tariffs despite buying Russian oil primarily for energy security