Trump Adviser Targets India On China Ties After Russian Oil Remark: ‘In Bed With Authoritarians’

Last Updated:August 28, 2025, 10:12 IST

The top US official, who has been vocally critical of India's purchases of Russian energy, accused India of cozying up with China.

White House trade advisor Peter Navarro (Image: Reuters)

Amid the ongoing cold war between the US and India over President Donald Trump’s crippling 50 percent tariff on New Delhi, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has again grabbed headlines by making a bizarre comment on India’s possible improved ties with China.

The top US official, who has been vocally critical of India’s purchases of Russian energy, accused India of cozying up to hostile powers.

Slamming India’s ties with China, the White House trade adviser Peter Navarro during an interview with Bloomberg said, “The Indians are so arrogant about this (purchase of Russian oil). They say we can buy oil from whoever we want. India, you’re the biggest democracy in the world. Act like one!"

“India, you’re getting in bed with authoritarians. You were in a quite war with them for decades. China invaded Aksai Chin and all your territory. These are not your friends. folks. And Russia? Come on!" Navarro added.

Navarro Blames India For Ukraine War

Continuing his attack on India over its purchase of Russian oil, the White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro, who earlier claimed that India was “perpetuating" the Ukraine War by purchasing discounted Russian crude oil, labelled the Russia-Ukraine war as “Modi’s war“.

Speaking during an interview, Navarro also said that the United States could waive 25 per cent tariffs on India if New Delhi halts crude oil purchases from Russia.

“Everybody in America loses because of what India is doing. The 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," Navarro said."

As the anchor interrupts Navarro, asking him if he meant to say “Putin’s war", Navarro said, “No, I mean Modi’s war, because the road to peace runs through New Delhi, I mean that’s a lot of money."

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