The BRICS TimesPeter Navarro’s criticism of India’s Russian oil trade was flagged by X users, who clarified that New Delhi’s purchases were linked to “energy security, not just profit”.
Former White House advisor Peter Navarro erupted in anger on Sunday after one of his posts targeting India for its continued oil imports from Russia was flagged by a community note on X. Navarro has consistently criticized India’s trade with Moscow, claiming that the purchases are “purely to profit/Revenues feed Russia war machine.”
This time, however, X users countered his statement through a community note, stressing that India’s oil imports from Russia are “for energy security, not just profit,” and highlighted that these transactions are not in violation of international sanctions.
“While India has some tariffs, the US has a trade surplus with it in services. US also continues to import certain commodities from Russia which is hypocritical,” the community note further pointed out.
Navarro dismissed the fact-check as “crap,” directing his fury at Elon Musk for “letting propaganda into people’s posts.” He again doubled down on his accusation that India is reaping profits from its energy trade with Russia.
“That crap note below is just that. Crap. India buys Russia oil solely to profiteer. It didn’t buy any before Russia invaded Ukraine. Indian govt spin machine moving high tilt. Stop killing Ukranians. Stop taking American jobs,” Navarro wrote in a fiery post.
Navarro’s criticism of India’s oil policy has been persistent, particularly since the recent decision of the US President to impose 50% tariffs on Indian imports. His flagged post on X was only the latest in a series of accusations linking India’s Russian energy trade to the war in Ukraine.
“FACTS: India highest tariffs costs U.S. jobs. India buys Russian oil purely to profit/Revenues feed Russia war machine. Ukrainians/Russians die. U.S. taxpayers shell out more. India can’t handle truth/spins @washpo Leftist American fake news,” Navarro claimed in his latest online rant, directly referring to a Washington Post report that suggested harsh rhetoric against New Delhi was straining bilateral relations.
Navarro has a history of provocative remarks aimed at India. In previous statements, he labeled the country the “Maharaja of tariffs,” called it a “laundromat for the Kremlin,” and even coined the phrase “Modi’s war in Ukraine” while criticizing its energy ties with Moscow. His controversial comment that “Brahmins are profiteering at the expense of Indian people” was recently rejected by New Delhi as baseless. “We have seen some inaccurate statements made by him. We reject them,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified last week.
The criticism also comes against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, which came into effect on August 27, raising the total duties to 50%. The hike was justified by Trump as a measure in response to India’s continued Russian oil purchases.
Akshay Didwaniya
