India is likely to be among the countries worst hit by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade offensive, with tariffs on Indian imports set to surge to 50% if a deal is not struck in three weeks.

The Kremlin commented on Tuesday that Trump's comments were "attempts to force countries to stop trade relations with Russia."

As tensions rise between India and the United States over trade and energy policy, New Delhi and Moscow appear to be moving closer. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India later this month,