India Pushes Back Against Navarro’s Criticism, Reaffirms US Ties

India has firmly pushed back against sharp criticism from White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro, calling his recent remarks "inaccurate and misleading." While rejecting his claims, New Delhi also chose to underscore the depth of its partnership with Washington.

Speaking at a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the India-US relationship as a "comprehensive and global strategic partnership," anchored in shared democratic values, common interests, and strong people-to-people connections. "This partnership has weathered transitions and challenges," he said, stressing that India remains committed to advancing a "substantive agenda" with the United States.

Navarro, a known ally of US President Donald Trump, has accused India of fueling the Ukraine conflict through imports of Russian crude oil. He went further, alleging that India resells Russian oil to Europe, Africa, and Asia at hefty profits. In a particularly controversial remark, he suggested that only Brahmins in India were "profiteering" from this trade.

While India did not directly address Navarro's caste-linked allegation, officials have repeatedly made clear that the country's energy purchases are driven by domestic needs and national interest. The rebuttal reflects New Delhi's balancing act-rejecting external criticism while maintaining the importance of its ties with Washington.