Peter Navarro, former US President Donald Trump’s trade adviser, has issued sharp criticism of India’s trade policies and energy ties with Russia, warning that such positions could harm New Delhi’s long-term interests.
Key Highlights
- Navarro warns India: align with US on trade or “it won’t end well.”
- He condemns India’s Russian oil imports as "blood money," urging immediate energy realignment.
In an interview with Real America’s Voice, Navarro accused India of being the “Maharaja of tariffs,” claiming it imposes the highest duties among major economies against US goods. He argued that while Washington has secured favorable trade arrangements with the European Union, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Indonesia, India has yet to align with the US.
Navarro alleged that India significantly increased Russian oil purchases only after the Ukraine war began, describing this as profiteering at a time when Western taxpayers are bearing the costs of the conflict. He insisted that India “must come around,” warning that continued association with Russia and China “won’t end well.”
Turning to China, Navarro highlighted existing US tariffs exceeding 50% and called for stronger global action against Beijing’s energy imports from Moscow. He claimed that peace efforts “partly run through New Delhi,” urging India to stop buying Russian oil.
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Navarro also targeted the BRICS alliance, branding its members as “vampires” exploiting unfair trade practices and predicting its collapse due to internal rivalries. He argued that none of the BRICS economies could thrive without US markets.
The remarks follow India’s growing role as a major buyer of discounted Russian crude after Western sanctions, a shift that continues to draw scrutiny from US officials.
