New Delhi: Peter Navarro, a controversial figure known for his previous role as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump, found himself at the centre of an online controversy. His criticism of India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil ignited a firestorm of debate, highlighting the differing perspectives on US-India relations.
Navarro, utilising the X platform, issued a series of strongly worded statements accusing India of profiting unjustly from Russia’s oil exports. He further implied that this action was detrimental to American interests and potentially fuelled the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These assertions were quickly countered by a community note on X, clarifying that India’s purchases were primarily motivated by energy security and did not violate any international sanctions. The note pointed out the inherent hypocrisy in the US, which also imports certain commodities from Russia.
Wow. @elonmusk is letting propaganda into people’s posts. That crap note below is just that. Crap. India buys Russia oil solely to profiteer. It didn’t buy any before Russia invaded Ukraine. Indian govt spin machine moving high tilt. Stop killing Ukranians. Stop taking… https://t.co/Uj1NMUrVOM
— Peter Navarro (@RealPNavarro) September 6, 2025
India’s Ministry of External Affairs publicly labelled Navarro’s remarks as inaccurate and misleading. This official rebuke added weight to the growing criticism against Navarro’s statements. The situation was further complicated by the contrasting views expressed by President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Navarro’s rhetoric was inflammatory, both Trump and Modi issued conciliatory statements, underlining the strength and positive trajectory of US-India relations. President Trump described the partnership as “very special”, echoing Prime Minister Modi’s sentiment of a “forward-looking” and positive collaboration.
The incident highlighted a significant rift in the perception of US-India relations. Navarro’s outspoken criticism stands in stark contrast to the more diplomatic and positive pronouncements made by current and former US political leaders, underscoring the complexity of the ongoing geopolitical dynamics between the US, India, and Russia. The episode also brought to the fore the role of social media fact-checking in mediating political narratives and informing public discourse. Navarro’s online meltdown serves as a case study in the rapid spread of misinformation and the importance of verifying information from multiple reliable sources.