By terming Russia-Ukraine battle since 2022 as "Modi's war"; Trump's aide Peter Navarro ends up complimenting India and "its importance globally"

Frustration speaks out.

If two countries are fighting 'Modi's war'; he is no small man !! The argument is simple. 

Donald Trump's trade advisor Peter Navarro has now called the much talked about Russia-Ukraine conflict that began in 2022 as ‘Modi’s war’.

While the 'well built up' US-India relationship is breaking down and are in tatters - the Washington's man has unknowingly perhaps complimented India's growing influence at the global stage. 

Retaliation by India is unlikely but not impossible, says Barclays Research, because there is precedent.

"In 2019, India announced tariffs on 28 US products, including US apples and almonds, in response to the US tariffs on steel and aluminium. Some of these tariffs were eventually reversed in 2023, following the resolution of WTO disputes," Barclays Research said recently. 

Navarro has gone to the extent of stating that the path to peace in Ukraine "runs, in part, through New Delhi". 

"I mean, it is essentially Modi's war because the road to peace runs, in part, through New Delhi," he said. 

US Trade Adviser Peter Navarro's comments came hours after US tariffs of 50% on Indian goods kicked in on Wednesday.  

Russia, which supplied less than 2% of India's crude before it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, now accounts for 35-40% of Delhi's oil imports, making it the largest source.

But India has pointed out that the US has not imposed similar additional tariffs on China, which is the largest importer of Russian oil, or the European Union, which still conducts a huge amount of trade with Russia.

"Everybody in America loses because of what India is doing. The consumers and businesses and everything lose, and workers lose because India's high tariffs cost us jobs, factories and income and higher wages. 

And then the taxpayers lose because we got to fund Modi's war," Navarro said. 

"I'm puzzled. Because Modi is a great leader," he said perhaps trying to give out some message.

"This is a matured democracy with matured people running it," he said.

But then comes in a statement in frustration.

"What's troubling to me is that the Indians are so arrogant about this. They say, 'Oh, we don’t have higher tariffs. Oh, it’s our sovereignty. We can buy oil from anyone we want," Navarro said as quoted by Bloomberg.  

India has not given to US  bullying tactics. Countries such as Brazil and China are also fighting it out. But Trump had tasted blood when it came to European Union, South Korea and Japan.  These three countries agreed to US's one-sided access. New Delhi has declined. At least on three occasions Modi was firm about giving the White House -- what a fight would generally mean.  

“My government will never let any harm come .... No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it.” 

Modi spoke in similar vein on Aug 7 and also on the Independence Day - Aug 15th. 

The optics count. Thus Narendra Modi is crafting his narrative not as the reformer scorned but as the defiant protector of India’s farmers and small businesses. In trademark style, Modi is turning a challenge into an opportunity. 

In Indian politics, his detractors are clueless for last 11 years and more on how to deal with him politically.

The voters are with him. Modi is still the "unparalleled choice of the nation if elections are held" yet again -- is the refrain in many quarters.

Modi started as India's PM in 2014. His third term faced a mega challenge in April 22, 2025. After the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 25 Hindu tourists dead, the Modi Govt launched its biggest counter-terror operation, Sindoor, deep inside Pakistan, destroying key terror camps.

One interpretation is the US 'strategic interests' were also destroyed.

After four-day (and night) conflict Pakistan dialled India. Indian armed forces targeted 11 vital military bases. 

This was in tune with Modi's old slogan 'ghar mein ghuske marenge'. His image got a big boost but Trump was unhappy as Pakistan was left leaking wounds. 

The Prime Minister is deal with a hostile Trump. The comments from Trump's aide Navarro reflects Washington's frustration.

There were reports in a German newspaper that Modi declined to talk to the world's most powerful man. Four tele calls were snubbed.

All these are out of anyone's imagination.

Modi has been flexible in guiding the foreign policy engine room too.  He has tried to strengthen ties with Putin's Russia and 'improve' relations with Xi Jinping's China. 

Thus the coming SCO Summit on Aug 31 and Sept 1 in China will redraw many foreign policy diagrams and graphs.  

But despite the war of words between Delhi and Washington - and cancellation of trade negotiations which were set to begin earlier this week - there is still hope of a way out for India, which remains a vital strategic US partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has expressed confidence in bilateral ties with India point in that direction.

"I do think India's the world's largest democracy; the US is the world's largest economy. I think at the end of the day we will come together," Mr Bessent said in an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday.

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