Amidst ongoing trade tensions, former White House aide Peter Navarro has sharpened his criticism of India's relationship with Russia, even as President Trump appears to soften his tone. Navarro's recent remarks have reignited the debate over India's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its trade practices, leading to a strong rebuttal from the Indian government.

Navarro, who served as a Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing under President Trump, has been a vocal critic of India's economic policies and its ties with Moscow. He has repeatedly accused India of "profiteering" from Russian oil trade and imposing high tariffs that allegedly cost American jobs. In a recent post on X, Navarro stated, "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". He has also labeled India as a "laundromat of Russia" and described the conflict in Ukraine as "Modi's war," asserting that the "road to peace runs, in part, through New Delhi".

These statements are in response to a Washington Post article that suggested Washington's harsh rhetoric towards New Delhi was worsening bilateral ties. Navarro's repeated attacks have fueled tensions between the two countries.

India has strongly rejected Navarro's accusations, dismissing them as "inaccurate and misleading". MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India remains focused on its "substantive agenda" with the U.S. and hopes the relationship will continue to move forward based on "mutual respect and shared interests". Jaiswal also emphasized the importance of the India-U.S. partnership, rooted in democratic values and people-to-people ties.

Despite Navarro's harsh stance, there are indications that President Trump is adopting a more moderate approach. While White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett expressed disappointment with India's continued imports of Russian crude oil, he also conveyed hope for "positive developments". However, Trump has also often criticized India's tariff policies, calling it America's "most tariffed partner" and describing the trade relationship as a "totally one-sided disaster". Adding to the complexity, Trump recently stated that the U.S. has "lost" India and Russia to China, which may reflect a shift in the U.S.'s perception of geopolitical alignments.

The contrasting viewpoints within the U.S. administration highlight the complexities of the U.S.-India relationship. While some officials like Navarro maintain a confrontational stance, others appear to seek a more balanced approach. The situation is further complicated by Trump's recent remarks about losing India to China, suggesting a possible reassessment of U.S. foreign policy priorities. It remains to be seen how these differing perspectives will shape the future of U.S.-India relations.