Washington: Peter Navarro, Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing in the Trump administration, has intensified his attacks on India, accusing New Delhi of fueling Russia’s war economy by purchasing discounted oil while simultaneously imposing steep tariffs that he claims undermine American jobs. His comments, posted on X on Friday, have further stirred diplomatic unease as U.S.–India relations face heightened strain.
Navarro’s latest remarks came in response to a Washington Post article that examined the deep divisions within President Donald Trump’s administration over managing ties with India. The article suggested that inflammatory rhetoric from Washington could worsen tensions with New Delhi at a time when the bilateral relationship remains strategically critical. Dismissing the report as biased, Navarro declared, “India’s highest tariffs cost U.S. jobs. India buys Russian oil purely to profit. Revenues feed Russia’s war machine. Ukrainians and Russians die. U.S. taxpayers shell out more. India can’t handle truth.” He also labeled the Post “Leftist American fake news.”
The sharp rebuke adds to a pattern of incendiary remarks from Navarro. In recent weeks, he has branded India a “laundromat for the Kremlin” and accused Indian elites of profiteering from the Ukraine war. His rhetoric has drawn criticism not just in India but also among U.S. foreign policy experts, who fear such statements risk undermining broader strategic cooperation, especially as Washington views New Delhi as a key counterbalance to China’s influence.
At the White House, the tone was notably less confrontational but still pointed. Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett acknowledged on Friday that both President Trump and his trade team remain “disappointed” with India’s continued imports of Russian crude. “India continues to fund Russia’s Ukraine war,” Hassett said, adding that Washington still hopes for “positive developments” and suggesting that political processes in India could eventually reshape the situation.
New Delhi, however, has firmly rejected Navarro’s accusations. At the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly press briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed his claims as “inaccurate and misleading.” He reaffirmed India’s long-standing position that decisions on energy imports are guided by national interest. “This relationship between the United States and India is very important for us. Both our countries share a comprehensive global strategic partnership, anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties,” Jaiswal said, stressing that the partnership has endured “several transitions and challenges.”
India has also maintained that its foreign policy decisions, including energy purchases, cannot be judged through the prism of third countries. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently reiterated that India would “undoubtedly continue” purchasing Russian oil when it suits national requirements, citing price, logistics, and economic necessity as guiding factors.
Meanwhile, Trump himself has consistently labeled India as America’s “most tariffed partner,” arguing that while India benefits from exporting goods to the United States, it maintains prohibitive trade barriers that block American businesses. His administration recently imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, including penalties linked to Russian oil imports. Yet Trump, while firm on trade, has also publicly insisted that he shares a “special friendship” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a duality that has fueled confusion about the overall trajectory of bilateral ties.
Complicating matters further, a U.S. appeals court recently ruled that several of Trump’s tariff measures were “illegal,” opening a legal front that could weaken his administration’s aggressive trade strategy. Analysts say this ruling could embolden India in negotiations, even as Washington continues pressing New Delhi to distance itself from Moscow.
The renewed tensions over tariffs and oil imports underscore the fragility of U.S.–India relations at a time of significant geopolitical realignment. As the United States confronts challenges from both China and Russia, its ability to maintain a steady partnership with India despite sharp disagreements will remain critical in shaping the balance of global power.