Trump aide accuses India over Russian oil purchases

Trump aide accuses India over Russian oil purchases

In an interview with Bloomberg TV’s Balance of Power, Navarro, who was a key economic aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump, went as far as to describe the conflict as “Modi’s war,” sparking outrage in India and raising eyebrows globally.

Linking Oil Purchases to Moscow’s “War Machine”

Navarro argued that every barrel of Russian crude purchased by India funnels money into Moscow’s “war machine,” enabling it to prolong the war in Ukraine. “Everybody in America loses because of what India is doing,” he said. “Consumers and businesses lose, workers lose, taxpayers lose — because at the end of the day, we have to keep funding Kyiv as Moscow continues its aggression.”

The comment that drew the most attention, however, came when the anchor asked Navarro if he had meant to say “Putin’s war” instead of “Modi’s war.” Without hesitation, Navarro doubled down.

Criticism of India’s Tariffs and Trade Policies

Navarro also revived his long-standing criticism of India’s high tariffs, calling New Delhi the “Maharaja of tariffs.” He claimed that before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India’s energy imports from Russia were negligible, but that they have skyrocketed since then, largely because of discounted prices.

“In India, they slap 25% tariffs because they cheat us on trade, and then 25% more because of the Russian oil. These are Maharaja tariffs, and Americans pay the price with lost jobs, factories, and wages,” Navarro argued.

He also accused India of being dismissive of U.S. concerns.

A Familiar Line of Attack

This is not the first time Navarro has targeted India over its close energy ties with Moscow. During his time in the Trump administration, he frequently clashed with Indian negotiators, branding India as one of the toughest trading partners for Washington. His latest remarks, however, take the criticism a step further by tying Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally to the bloodshed in Ukraine — a linkage many observers see as inflammatory.

Why India Buys Russian Oil

India, for its part, has consistently defended its decision to import Russian oil. Officials in New Delhi argue that as a developing country with huge energy demands, India cannot afford to ignore cheaper crude supplies, especially when global prices have soared since the Ukraine war began. Indian ministers have also emphasized that their imports do not violate Western sanctions, since most of the purchases are made outside the dollar-based system and involve intermediaries.

Moreover, New Delhi has stressed that it maintains strong relations with both Washington and Moscow, insisting that its position is one of “strategic autonomy.” India has also pointed out that Europe, until recently, was itself a major importer of Russian energy, raising questions about why New Delhi is singled out.

The Bigger Picture

Navarro’s fiery remarks reflect a deeper frustration within certain U.S. political circles about the limits of American influence over India. As Washington tries to rally its allies to isolate Russia, India has charted its own path, balancing ties with the West while keeping its historic defense and energy partnership with Moscow intact.

Whether Navarro’s comments will have any real policy impact remains uncertain. But by dubbing the conflict “Modi’s war,” he has injected new tension into the already delicate debate over India’s role in the Russia-Ukraine crisis. For many Indians, the remark feels like an unfair oversimplification. For Navarro, however, it’s a blunt reminder that the world’s biggest democracy cannot stay neutral forever in what he sees as the defining conflict of this generation.