India's foreign minister said on Saturday that trade negotiations with Washington are continuing but there are lines that New Delhi needs to defend, just days before hefty additional U.S. tariffs are due to hit.

India’s embassy in Washington has hired a lobbying firm with close ties to the Trump administration and a history of advocating for foreign entities targeted by the US, just before 50% tariffs take effect on exports from the South Asian country.

US Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that President Donald Trump had used “aggressive economic leverage,” including secondary tariffs on India, in a bid to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine.