A top aide to Donald Trump on Sunday accused India of effectively financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing oil from Moscow, after the United States president escalated pressure on New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil.“What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia,” said Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House and one of Trump’s most influential aides.Miller’s criticism was some of the strongest yet by the Trump administration about one of the US’s major partners in the Indo-Pacific.“People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact,” Miller said on Fox News’ ‘Sunday Morning Futures’. The Indian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Indian govt sources told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi would keep purchasing oil from Moscow despite US threats. A 25% tariff on Indian products went into effect on Friday as a result of its purchase of military equipment and energy from Russia. Trump has also threatened 100% tariffs on US imports from countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine. Miller tempered his criticism by noting Trump’s relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing it as “tremendous.” reuters‘What he (Donald Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia,’ said Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House. The Indian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.