India dubs U.S. additional tariffs 'unfair, unjustified, unreasonable'

India on Wednesday described U.S. administration's additional 25 percent tariffs on imports from India as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable" and declared that New Delhi would take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.

In a sharp reaction to the U.S. announcing additional 25 percent tariffs on Indian imports, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said that it was "extremely unfortunate" that the U.S. chose to impose additional tariffs on India.

"The U.S. has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India," said the spokesman in an official statement.

"We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests."

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing an additional 25-percent tariff on imports from India in response to the country's purchases of Russian oil, according to a White House statement.

The order, effective 21 days after the announcement, will bring the combined tariffs imposed by the United States on Indian goods to 50 percent. The original 25 percent tariffs on Indian imports into the U.S. were in retaliation to India's tariffs on U.S. goods.

On July 29, Trump set a 10-day deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine. The latest punitive tariff on Indian goods is seen as part of the U.S. pressure campaign targeting Russia.

(With input from Xinhua)