Trump Official Unloads: Ukraine Is “Modi’s War,” India Is “Arrogant”
India-West News Desk
WASHINGTON, DC – “Arrogant” and “Modi’s war” were the phrases Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro used on August 27 as he launched a scathing attack on India’s decision to continue purchasing Russian oil, urging New Delhi to “act like” a democracy and align with the West.
Speaking on Bloomberg Television’s ‘Balance of Power,’ Navarro said India’s discounted oil imports from Moscow were indirectly funding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and forcing U.S. taxpayers to bear the cost of supporting Kyiv.
“The Indians are so arrogant about this. They say, oh, it’s our sovereignty. We can buy oil from anyone we want. India, you’re the biggest democracy in the world. Okay? Act like one. Side with the democracies,” he said.
Navarro framed the conflict as “PM Modi’s war,” arguing that India’s energy policies prolong the fighting. “Ukraine comes to us and Europe and says give us more money. Everybody in America loses because of what India is doing. Consumers and businesses lose, workers lose because India’s high tariffs cause jobs, income and higher wages. The taxpayer lose because we got to fund Modi’s war,” he told Bloomberg, adding that “the road to peace runs at least partly through New Delhi.”
On social media, Trump too has accused India of re-exporting much of the crude it buys from Moscow “for big profits” while ignoring the human toll of the war.
Navarro also attacked India’s improving relations with Beijing, calling it a dangerous alignment with authoritarian powers. “You’re getting in bed with the authoritarians,” he said. “China, you’ve been at war with them for decades. They invaded Aksai Chin and all your territory. These are not your friends.”
Ajay Jain Bhutoria, CA
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The recent 50% tariff imposed by President Trump on Indian goods is set to have a direct and profound impact on our communities. As U.S.-India relations deteriorate, the ripple effects are becoming undeniable. India’s Department of Posts has announced a temporary suspension of all postal services to the United States starting August 29, 2025, in response to these trade changes, affecting everything from personal mail to business shipments. One can no longer order sweets, clothes, and Diwali Gifts and other items from India until this is resolved. Indian Americans will feel the pain during this Diwali . This move highlights the growing strain on trade ties, with increased costs for goods in the U.S. For Indian Americans and South Asians, this could mean higher prices for essential items, disrupted family communications, and a challenge to the cultural and economic bridges we’ve built. It may also push India to diversify trade toward Russia, China, and others, potentially leading to the U.S. losing a strong ally in Indo Pacific Region.
August 28, 2025HArilal patel
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The attitude of people like Peter Navarros and Bennet can only lead to losing a good friend and partner like India.
August 28, 2025Peter, you should be ashamed to say that the Ukrainian war is Modi” war..
Over the last 100 years, while America has enjoyed superiority over the world, snatching the other countries’ well-being by placing puppet governments, and now even behaving rudely toward India by imposing the penalty of a tariff. Biden went to war with Russia to show off the superiority of the USA. In 2014 USA single-handedly changed the democratically elected government in Ukraine. Why? What goes around, comes around.
Daljit Singh
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Peter Navarro has lost his marbles, if there were any. He has no credibility except among the economic lunatics. They run, change, and move from one unworkable idea to another to prove to themselves that they know something, which is very little. They are like crazy drivers on a highway, changing lanes to show off their driving skills until they get into accidents. These high tariffs on Indian commerce will have only temporary gains. Any new revenue streams will dry out soon in the U.S. coffers until India finds new markets for its goods and services in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. In the meantime, the Indian government should treat these yahoos with gloved hands, because their egos are very fragile and their tempers are very short.
August 28, 2025FreePerson
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A friend reminded me that many survived thugs/goons like Idi Amin of Uganda.
Indians will survive and prosper from these thugs too.
August 29, 2025