Peter Navarro Brands Ukraine Conflict “Modi’s War,” Criticises India’s Russian Oil Purchases

US President Donald Trump’s top trade adviser, Peter Navarro, has escalated tensions with India by directly linking the country’s purchases of Russian oil to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, calling it “Modi’s war.” Navarro, the White House Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing, accused India of supporting Russia’s “war machine” through its energy imports, marking a significant intensification of what began as a trade dispute.

“Everybody in America loses because of what India is doing. Consumers, businesses, and workers lose because India’s high tariffs cost us jobs, factories, and income. And then the taxpayers lose because we’ve got to fund Modi’s war,” Navarro said during a television interview, underscoring the personal tone he has taken in targeting Indian policy.

Navarro, a former economics professor and a prominent figure in the first Trump administration, has been outspoken on trade issues, particularly regarding China, and has now turned his attention to India’s energy strategy. He emphasized that India’s oil purchases from Russia represent “a lot of money” and are central to influencing the path to peace in Ukraine. In a recent Financial Times opinion piece, Navarro described India’s actions as “opportunistic” and heavily criticised New Delhi’s stance.

India has defended its oil policy, citing energy security needs, pointing out that China imports more Russian oil, and noting that European countries purchase Russian-origin oil from Indian refineries. New Delhi has also highlighted that the US and EU have continued trade in strategic materials with Russia despite the Ukraine war.

Navarro reiterated that India could receive a 25% tariff reduction if it ceased buying Russian energy, while current tariffs now stand at 50%, among the highest imposed by the US. He rejected the notion that pressure might push India closer to Russia and China, arguing that India should align with democratic nations instead of “getting in bed with the authoritarians.”

Other US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, have also criticised India’s energy purchases. Bessent, however, expressed optimism that the two countries would eventually reach a trade agreement, highlighting the complex nature of India-US relations.