Peter Navarro, a former senior advisor to Donald Trump, has recently launched a series of attacks against India's economic policies and Elon Musk's social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Navarro's primary contention revolves around India's purchase of Russian oil, which he alleges is solely for profiteering and is indirectly funding Russia's war in Ukraine. He has also criticized X for allowing what he deems "propaganda" regarding this issue.

Navarro's accusations center on the claim that India significantly increased its imports of Russian oil after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Before the invasion, India's imports of Russian oil were less than 1% of its total imports, but this figure reportedly rose to over 30% following the conflict. Navarro argues that India is exploiting the situation by purchasing discounted Russian oil, refining it, and then exporting the finished products to other countries, thereby generating substantial profits. He claims that this activity allows Russia to circumvent sanctions and continue financing its military operations.

In response to Navarro's statements, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly rejected his claims, branding them as "inaccurate and misleading". An MEA spokesperson emphasized that India's relationship with the United States is based on mutual respect and shared interests. They also reiterated that India's oil imports are driven by its energy security needs and do not violate any sanctions.

Navarro's broadside has also extended to Elon Musk and his social media platform X. After community notes on X corrected his statements about India's Russian oil purchases, Navarro criticized Musk for allegedly permitting propaganda on the platform. He has also used X to express his views on India's tariffs, claiming they cost American jobs. These claims have also been met with criticism from X users, who have pointed out that the United States has a trade surplus in services with India and continues to import certain commodities from Russia. Some users have also argued that automation, rather than Indian tariffs, is the primary driver of manufacturing losses in the US.

Navarro's recent remarks are not the first time he has targeted India. He has previously referred to India as a "laundromat for the Kremlin" and has made controversial remarks about certain groups within Indian society. These statements have sparked diplomatic unease and have been criticized as insensitive and inaccurate.

The context surrounding Navarro's accusations includes the complex geopolitical landscape following the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Many countries, including India, have sought to balance their economic interests with the need to condemn Russia's actions. India has maintained a neutral stance on the conflict, emphasizing the need for dialogue and diplomacy. Its increased purchase of Russian oil has been viewed by some as a pragmatic decision to secure affordable energy supplies for its large population.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that other nations, including China, also import Russian oil. Some observers have noted a degree of hypocrisy in singling out India, particularly when other countries are engaged in similar trade practices.