Labelling the Ukraine conflict “Modi’s war,” White House adviser Peter Navarro claimed that Moscow’s aggression has been fuelled by India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil, burdening American taxpayers. He added that if India stops purchasing Russian oil, it could get a 25% cut in US tariffs.
In an interview with Bloomberg Television’s Balance of Power, Navarro said the conflict was influenced by India, adding that the path to peace “runs, in part, through New Delhi.”
Navarro’s remarks came as tensions between Washington and New Delhi deepened, with President Donald Trump’s 50% tariff on Indian imports taking effect on Wednesday. The move was intended to penalise India for its continued purchase of crude oil from Russia.
When asked whether the US is in talks with India and if there is any possibility of adjusting the tariffs, White House adviser Peter Navarro replied, “It’s really easy. India can get 25% off tomorrow if it stops buying Russian oil and helped to feed the war machine.”
When asked if the US might adjust tariffs and is in talks with India, he responded: “It’s really easy. India can get 25% off tomorrow if it stops buying Russian oil and helped to feed the war machine.”
“I’m puzzled. Because Modi is a great leader. This is a matured democracy with matured people running it,” he added.
Navarro expressed frustration over India’s stance on tariffs, saying, “What’s troubling to me is that the Indians are so arrogant about this. They say, ‘Oh, we don’t have higher tariffs. Oh, it’s our sovereignty. We can buy oil from anyone we want,” Navarro said as quoted by Bloomberg.
Navarro alleged that India’s actions were helping fund Moscow’s war. “By purchasing Russian oil at a discount, Russia uses the money it gets to fund its war machine kill more Ukrainians,” he said. “Everybody in America loses because of what India is doing.”
“Consumers and businesses and everything lose, and workers lose because India’s high tariffs cost us jobs, and factories, and income and higher wages. And then the taxpayers lose because we got to fund Modi’s war.”
“I mean Modi’s war because the road to peace runs, in part, through New Delhi,” the White House adviser added as quoted by Bloomberg.
ALSO READ: ‘If Indians Don’t Budge, Trump Won’t’, Warns US Economic Council Director As 50% Tariff Kicks In
