Navarro: Ukraine War Is ‘Modi’s War’

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro ignited a firestorm on Wednesday, provocatively labeling the Russia-Ukraine conflict as “Modi’s war” and accusing India of fueling Moscow’s military aggression through its purchase of discounted Russian oil. In a fiery Bloomberg Television interview, Navarro, President Donald Trump’s Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing, claimed that India’s actions are not only prolonging the war but also harming American consumers, businesses, and taxpayers.

“Everybody in America loses because of what India is doing,” Navarro asserted, arguing that India’s high tariffs cost U.S. jobs and factories, while its oil imports bankroll Russia’s war machine. “I mean Modi’s war, because the road to peace runs, in part, through New Delhi.” When pressed by the host on whether he meant “Putin’s war,” Navarro doubled down, insisting that India’s role in buying Russian crude makes it complicit.

The Trump administration recently escalated tensions by imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, effective August 27, bringing the total to a staggering 50%—one of the highest levies on any nation. Navarro suggested India could see a 25% tariff reduction if it halts Russian oil imports immediately. “It’s real easy. India can get 25% off tomorrow if it stops feeding their war machine,” he said.

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Navarro praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great leader” but expressed frustration, calling India’s stance on tariffs and oil purchases “arrogant.” He alleged that Indian refiners, in collaboration with Russian counterparts, buy cheap crude and sell refined products at a premium globally, generating profits while Russia uses the funds to kill Ukrainians. “Ukraine then comes to the U.S. and Europe for more money, and American taxpayers foot the bill for Modi’s war,” he claimed.

India has strongly rejected the tariffs as “unjustified and unreasonable,” emphasizing that its energy imports are driven by the need to stabilize domestic markets and ensure economic security. The Ministry of External Affairs previously noted that India’s oil purchases from Russia surged after the Ukraine conflict disrupted global energy flows, a move initially encouraged by the U.S. to maintain market stability. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar recently highlighted that China, not India, is the largest buyer of Russian oil, questioning the logic of targeting New Delhi.

Navarro’s remarks also took aim at India’s growing ties with Russia and China, urging the world’s largest democracy to “act like one” and align with democratic nations rather than “authoritarians.” He argued that halting oil purchases by India, China, and Europe would starve Russia’s war efforts, potentially ending the conflict swiftly.

The comments have drawn sharp criticism. The House Foreign Affairs Committee posted on social media that targeting India with tariffs, while sparing larger Russian oil buyers like China, undermines U.S.-India relations and suggests motives unrelated to Ukraine. Former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley called the approach a “strategic disaster,” urging Trump to engage directly with Modi to mend ties.

As U.S.-India relations hit a low point, India remains defiant. Modi recently vowed to prioritize national interests, particularly protecting farmers and small-scale industries, despite external pressures. With bilateral trade worth $131.8 billion in 2024-25, the tariffs threaten labor-intensive sectors like textiles and jewelry, potentially causing job losses and economic strain. The controversy underscores the complex interplay of geopolitics, trade, and energy, with India caught in the crosshairs of U.S. foreign policy.

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