Former U.S. trade adviser Peter Navarro has stirred a fresh controversy by openly criticizing India’s energy policy. In a series of sharp posts on X, Navarro urged New Delhi to stop buying Russian crude oil, warning that it “won’t end well” if the practice continues. He accused India of directly financing Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine, branding the discounted imports as nothing less than “blood money.”
Navarro argued that before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India’s crude oil purchases from Moscow were negligible, and the current imports reflect opportunistic profiteering. His remarks quickly sparked debate online and drew fact-checks from X’s Community Notes, which clarified that India’s imports comply with international law and are driven by domestic energy needs.
Unmoved by the rebuttal, Navarro lashed out at X and its owner Elon Musk, dismissing the notes as “crap” and accusing the platform of spreading false narratives. The heated exchange comes at a time when U.S.–India ties are already strained. Just weeks earlier, Washington imposed a steep 50% tariff on Indian exports, citing New Delhi’s continued reliance on Russian oil as one of the triggers.
Indian officials have consistently defended their energy choices, stressing that affordable crude is essential for sustaining an economy that serves 1.4 billion people. Analysts in New Delhi argue that such rhetoric from American political figures overlooks India’s strategic autonomy and its right to secure energy at competitive prices.
Observers warn that Navarro’s statements, though personal, reflect a larger strain in bilateral relations. With global energy markets volatile and Ukraine peace talks faltering, the issue has become a flashpoint in U.S.–India diplomacy. For now, India shows no signs of altering its course, prioritizing national interest over external pressure.
