“Modi’s War?”- Truth vs Blame: US Analyst Navarro Exposes Flawed Accusation Against Modi

What Did the Trump Aide Say?

Why a US Analyst Says That’s Just Not True – In a surprising statement, Peter Navarro, a former trade adviser to Donald Trump, blamed India for helping fund Russia’s war in Ukraine. He even called the conflict “Modi’s war,” suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisions were partly responsible for the ongoing violence.

Navarro argued that India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil was helping Moscow continue its military campaign. He claimed that American taxpayers were indirectly paying for the war because India’s actions were forcing the US to spend more on Ukraine’s defense. He also criticized India’s trade policies, calling them unfair and harmful to American workers.

This statement came shortly after the US imposed steep tariffs up to 50% on Indian goods, citing India’s continued oil trade with Russia as one of the reasons.

What Did the Analyst Say in Response?

Michael Kugelman, a respected South Asia expert at the Wilson Center, quickly responded to Navarro’s claims. He strongly disagreed with the idea that India was fueling the war. Kugelman pointed out that Prime Minister Modi is actually one of the few non-Western leaders who has openly called for peace in Ukraine.

In fact, Modi has publicly told Russian President Vladimir Putin that “this is not the era of war,” urging him to stop the conflict. Kugelman emphasized that no other non-Western leader has made such clear and repeated statements against the war.

He also noted that other countries, like China, import more Russian oil than India does. Yet, India seems to be singled out for criticism. Kugelman called this unfair and said it was “a bit rich” for the Trump administration to blame India while ignoring similar actions by other nations.

Why Is India Buying Russian Oil?

India has explained its position many times. Government officials say that their main goal is to ensure energy security for 1.4 billion people. They argue that buying oil from Russia helps keep prices stable and affordable.

India also says that its trade decisions are based on national interest and commercial logic. If Russian oil is cheaper, Indian companies will buy it. This is not about supporting war, it’s about keeping fuel prices manageable for everyday citizens.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other officials have also pointed out that the US once encouraged countries to buy Russian oil to stabilize global markets. Now, they say, the US is punishing India for doing exactly that. India calls the new tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable”.

What Does This Mean for Global Politics?

This clash between US officials and Indian leaders shows how complex global politics can be. On one hand, the US wants to isolate Russia and stop the war in Ukraine. On the other hand, countries like India must think about their own needs especially when it comes to energy and trade.

India has tried to walk a fine line. It has not joined Western sanctions against Russia, but it has also not supported the war. Modi’s calls for peace show that India wants the conflict to end, even if it continues to buy Russian oil.

The bigger question is: Should one country be blamed for a war it didn’t start, just because it’s doing business with another country? Many experts say no. They argue that global trade is complicated, and pointing fingers won’t solve the problem.

As tensions rise, it’s important to look at facts, not just opinions. And the facts show that India has consistently called for peace, even if its trade decisions don’t align with US expectations.

Also read – India Charts New Oil Future, Leaving Russia Behind- Trump’s Warning Revisited

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