Navarro Faces Online Backlash from India
Peter Navarro, a former US presidential counsellor, recently claimed he was "firebombed" by Indian users on social media. The online backlash reportedly stemmed from his remarks concerning India's trade practices, particularly its involvement with Russian oil and previously, his stance on tariffs.
Navarro recounted the experience, stating, "I got actually firebombed by the Indian continent on the internet with all sorts of nasty little attacks. All I would say to you, don't do that. That's not how we resolve problems here in America." This incident follows his past controversial description of India as the 'maharajah of tariffs'.
Russian Oil Trade at the Core of Controversy
The core of the recent controversy lies in an op-ed Navarro penned for the Financial Times. In it, he asserted that prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, India was not significantly involved in the oil trade with Russia. However, he claimed, India subsequently became heavily involved, selling a substantial amount of refined products on Russia's behalf, which he argued helped fuel the war effort. This position aligns with previous statements made by former President Donald Trump and his administration.
Addressing US Sanctions and Bilateral Ties
Navarro also sought to alleviate concerns regarding a proposed US sanctions bill and its potential impact on India-US relations. The legislation in question, known as the Lindsey Graham bill or the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was approved by the US Senate and could authorize the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from countries that continue to import Russian oil and gas.
India remains one of the world's largest buyers of Russian crude, making it a key focus of such potential sanctions alongside other major importers like China. Despite the contentious nature of the bill, Navarro expressed confidence in the relationship between former President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, "The President (Donald Trump) and your Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves, and it's not for me or any gaggle to get between that."