‘Act like a democracy’: Trump aide Navarro slams India over Russian oil and growing ties with China

White House Peter adviser Navarro

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro made a striking remark regarding India's potential rapprochement with China. Navarro, who has strongly criticized India’s ongoing Russian energy purchases, accused India of aligning with adversarial powers.

On Wednesday, he urged New Delhi to “act like” a democracy and align with other democratic nations, highlighting the contradiction in India’s energy choices.

Slamming India’s ties with China, the White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, during an interview with Bloomberg, said, “The Indians are so arrogant about this (purchase of Russian oil). They say we can buy oil from whoever we want. India, you’re the biggest democracy in the world. Act like one!"

“India, you’re getting in bed with authoritarians. You were in a quite war with them for decades. China invaded Aksai Chin and all your territory. These are not your friends. folks. And Russia? Come on!" Navarro added.

He also referred to the Ukraine conflict as "Modi's war" during an interview with Bloomberg Television’s Balance of Power, criticizing India for continuing to purchase discounted Russian oil.