Washington, DC [US], August 18 (ANI): White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has criticized India’s purchases of Russian crude oil, accusing New Delhi of funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine, and called for the country to stop, Al Jazeera reported, citing an opinion piece published in the Financial Times.
In the article, Navarro wrote, “India acts as a global clearinghouse for Russian oil, converting embargoed crude into high-value exports while giving Moscow the dollars it needs.” US President Donald Trump and his administration have repeatedly targeted India over its purchase of Russian crude. India, however, maintains that its purchases are based on domestic needs and economic security. The Ministry of External Affairs has noted that the US and European Union purchase significantly more oil and other goods than India.
Navarro also criticized India for “cosying up” to Russia and China, stating, “If India wants to be treated as a strategic partner of the US, it needs to start acting like one.” He added that India’s dependence on Russian crude is “opportunistic and deeply corrosive of the world’s efforts to isolate Putin’s war economy.” The adviser further warned that transferring cutting-edge US military capabilities to India could be risky as New Delhi’s ties to China and Russia deepen, according to Al Jazeera.
Navarro is the second senior Trump administration official to accuse India of financing Russia’s war in Ukraine. Earlier in August, Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House, said that New Delhi’s purchase of Russian crude was “not acceptable.” “What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia,” Miller told Fox News.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the country is being unfairly singled out, noting that the US and European Union continue to buy goods from Russia. The EU’s total trade with Russia dropped to USD 77.9 billion in 2024, down from USD 297.4 billion in 2021, while the EU continues to import Russian gas, spending USD 105.6 billion since the war began—roughly 75 percent of Russia’s 2024 military budget. In contrast, US-Russia trade totaled USD 3.5 billion in 2024, with US exports to Russia amounting to USD 528.3 million, down 11.8 percent from 2023.
On India’s 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India will stand like a wall against any policy that threatens our interests. India will never compromise when it comes to protecting the interests of our farmers.”
Earlier this month, President Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods over the issue, further straining US-India relations. India and the US have been negotiating for months to finalize a free trade agreement, with Trump accusing New Delhi of denying access to US goods by imposing high tariffs.
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