Navarro Calls PM Modi’s Ties with Xi, Putin “Troublesome”
Navarro criticizes PM Modi’s SCO summit ties with Russia, China.
Peter Navarro, a top trade advisor to US President Donald Trump, has sharply criticized the display of unity between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, on Monday. Labeling the leaders’ camaraderie as “troublesome,” Navarro urged Modi to align with the United States, Europe, and Ukraine instead of deepening ties with Russia and China.
“It’s a shame to see Modi, the leader of the world’s biggest democracy, getting in bed with the two biggest authoritarian dictators, Putin and Xi Jinping. That doesn’t make any sense,” Navarro said during a White House briefing. His remarks come amid heightened tensions in India-US relations, which have deteriorated to their lowest point in over two decades, fueled by Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and frequent criticism of New Delhi.
Navarro expressed confusion over Modi’s strategy, particularly given India’s decades-long tensions with China, including a prolonged border dispute that has occasionally escalated into military clashes. “I’m not sure what he’s thinking,” Navarro added, emphasizing that India should reconsider its geopolitical stance and halt its purchases of Russian oil. The Trump administration has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty specifically tied to India’s continued imports of discounted Russian crude, which Navarro claims fuels Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.
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India has defended its energy procurement, arguing that its oil purchases from Russia are driven by national interest and economic necessity, especially since Russia became India’s top energy supplier following Western sanctions on Moscow after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. New Delhi has called the US tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable,” highlighting the strain in bilateral ties.
The SCO summit, a platform for regional security and economic cooperation, saw Modi, Putin, and Xi engaging in warm exchanges, including a symbolic car ride shared by Modi and Putin. These interactions were widely interpreted as a signal of solidarity among the Global South against US-led policies. Russian state media reported that Modi and Putin held a private 50-minute conversation, underscoring their close ties.
Navarro’s comments reflect broader US concerns about the growing influence of the SCO, which includes China, Russia, India, and other nations representing nearly 40% of the global population. As the Trump administration pushes its “America First” agenda, the strengthening of ties among SCO members poses a challenge to US dominance, with analysts suggesting that Modi’s participation signals India’s intent to maintain strategic autonomy amid global tensions.
Also Read: Navarro: Ukraine War Is ‘Modi’s War’
