Washington, August 27 – U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro has sparked controversy by accusing India of indirectly funding Russia’s war in Ukraine through its continued purchases of discounted Russian oil. Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Navarro described the conflict as “Modi’s war,” linking New Delhi’s energy imports to Moscow’s military operations.
Navarro argued that India’s decisions have added to the financial burden on American taxpayers, who continue to support Ukraine through military and humanitarian aid. He suggested that Washington’s recently imposed 50% tariff on Indian imports is a direct response to these purchases. The tariff combines a 25% reciprocal duty with an additional 25% penalty tied to India’s ongoing oil trade with Russia.
“India can get immediate tariff relief if it stops buying Russian oil and stops feeding the war machine,” Navarro said, pressing New Delhi to align more closely with Western nations on the Ukraine issue.
The remarks highlight increasing strain in India–U.S. trade and diplomatic relations, coming at a time when India has defended its oil imports as necessary for domestic economic stability. New Delhi has consistently maintained that its energy policy is guided by national interest and affordability, not geopolitical alignment.
Navarro’s comments underscore how energy security, global trade measures, and strategic diplomacy are now deeply interconnected. His framing of the Ukraine war as partly “running through New Delhi” adds pressure on India to respond amid heightened international scrutiny.
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