News Brief
Peter Navarro Calls India ‘Maharaja Of Tariffs,’ Says Ties With Russia, China ‘Won’t End Well’
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro. (File Photo)
Trump adviser Peter Navarro renewed his criticism of India’s trade policies, calling the country the “Maharaja” of tariffs and warning that “it won’t end well” if New Delhi does not “come around” in trade talks with the United States, reported The Times Of India.
Navarro said, “It’s absolutely true. They have the highest tariffs in any major country in the world against the United States. We got to deal with that.”
He reiterated that India must align with Washington. “I think India must come around at some point. And if it doesn’t, it’s lying down with Russia and China, and that won’t end well for India,” he added.
Navarro also accused India of profiting from Russian crude by refining and reselling it internationally. He alleged that India was funding Russia's war and even acting as “Kremlin’s laundromat.”
He believes that the conflict in Ukraine is the responsibility of Prime Minister Modi, not Putin.
Community Notes on X countered Navarro’s claims, highlighting that the US continues to import Russian uranium, fertilizers, and chemicals, and that EU imports of Russian energy touched $25 billion in 2024. Notes also pointed out that US–India trade had grown by 20 per cent since Trump took office.
India rejected Navarro’s remarks. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “There should be mutual understanding between the two countries, with shared interests and mutual respect… This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges.”
