Peter Navarro says he was ‘firebombed’ online by Indians over Russia oil trade remarks
The Trump administration official claimed India increased Russian oil purchases after the Ukraine war began, a charge New Delhi has previously rejected
White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro, known for his scathing remarks against India for its purchase of Russian oil, has said that he got “firebombed” by the country over his comments and urged his critics to refrain from such attacks, as problems are not solved in the US in such a manner.
Complains of backlash
“I actually got firebombed by the Indian continent (India) on the internet with all sorts of nasty little attacks. And all I would say is, don't do that. That's not how we resolve problems here in America,” said Navarro.
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Speaking to reporters at the White House, the Trump administration official further stated that India was not involved in oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war started but got heavily involved afterwards. He further alleged that New Delhi had earlier resorted to sealing refined products on behalf of Moscow.
"Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved and was selling a lot of refined products on behalf of Russia, which helped feed the war machine," said Navarro, adding that the issue had been resolved.
On Indo-Russia oil trade
Navarro claimed that he had a role to play in reducing India’s oil trade with Russia. He also referred to an op-ed he wrote in The Financial Times.
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“As Russia continues to hammer Ukraine, helped by India’s financial support, American (and European) taxpayers are then forced to spend tens of billions more to help Ukraine’s defence. Meanwhile, India keeps slamming the door on American exports through high tariffs and trade barriers. More than 300,000 soldiers and civilians have been killed, while Nato’s eastern flank grows more exposed and the west foots the bill for India’s oil laundering,” wrote Navarro in the op-ed.
"Maybe, I had a little bit to do with that op-ed," said Navarro. He also urged his critics not to resort to “nasty little attacks” on him, adding that differences are not resolved in the US in such a way.
India rejects claims
Navarro has repeatedly targeted India over its trade ties with Russia, arguing that New Delhi’s energy purchases have indirectly supported Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
His criticism sharpened days later when he described India as a "laundromat for the Kremlin".
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The White House trade adviser had claimed that revenue generated from Russian oil exports is used to sustain "its war machine" in Ukraine.
The Centre pushed back against such remarks last September, rejecting Navarro’s assertions regarding its imports of Russian crude.
“We have seen the inaccurate and misleading statements made by Mr Navarro and obviously reject them,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said as quoted by the Hindustan Times.