White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has once again hit out at India over trade ties with Russia, while also urging New Delhi to align more closely to the United States.
His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during his China visit for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
As visuals of the camaraderie between the three leaders went viral, Navarro said it was “a shame to see Modi getting in bed with the two biggest authoritarians in the world”.
“It was a shame to see Modi getting in bed as a leader of the biggest democracy in the world with the two biggest authoritarian dictators in the world -- Putin and Xi Jinping. That doesn't make any sense. I am not sure what he's thinking. We hope he comes around to seeing that he needs to be with us, Europe and Ukraine not Russia,” Navarro said.
This follows the White House trade adviser's earlier rant against India just shortly after PM Modi held a bilateral with Xi Jinping in Tianjin on the sidelines of the SCO.
"So, you know, look, Modi's a great leader... But I don't understand why he's getting into bed with Putin and Xi Jinping...when he's the leader of the biggest democracy in the world. I would just simply say to the Indian people. Please, understand what's going on here. You've got Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people. We need that to stop," Navarro had said.
Navarro's remarks come amid the rising friction between Washington and New Delhi due to the 50 per cent tariffs imposed on Indian goods, which includes a 25 per cent penalty for buying Russian oil.
India has called the tariffs imposed by the US “unjustified and unreasonable”.
Defending its purchase of Russian crude oil, India has been maintaining that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
