India, Aug. 27 -- India believes the Trump administration's doubling of US tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, including a 25% penalty for purchasing Russian crude oil, is "unjustified" and has kept the door open for negotiations aimed at a trade deal, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump's 25% punitive tariff due to India's purchases of Russian oil kicked in on Wednesday, adding to an earlier 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian products. The new penalties took total US duties to as much as 50% for goods such as garments, gems and jewellery, footwear, furniture, and chemicals.

The tariffs are "unjustified" and the Indian side's response to the actions of the Trump administration has been restrained and re...