Russia-Ukraine War: ‘Road to Peace Runs Through New Delhi,’ Says White House Trade Adviser

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has said that India holds a crucial role in resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, stressing that “the road to peace runs through New Delhi.” While praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a great leader,” Navarro criticized India’s growing trade ties with Russia, particularly in the energy sector.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Thursday, Navarro argued that India’s rising imports of Russian oil are undermining global peace efforts. “Before the Ukraine invasion in 2022, India imported less than 1% of its oil from Russia. Now it’s 35–40%. What India is doing right now is not creating peace—it’s perpetuating the war,” he said.

The Trump administration recently imposed a 50% tariff along with additional penalties on Indian imports, citing both trade imbalances and India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Navarro accused India of maintaining “Maharaja tariffs” that hurt American workers and businesses, while also warning that closer ties between New Delhi and Beijing could destabilize the region further.

Despite his criticism, Navarro emphasized his admiration for India and its leadership. “I love India. Modi is a great leader. But India must recognize its role in the global economy and its responsibility in the bloodshed,” he said.

Calls for Stronger US-India Ties

Navarro’s remarks came shortly after former US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, called India a “prized free and democratic partner” in an opinion piece for Newsweek. She cautioned that allowing tensions to weaken the 25-year momentum in US-India relations would be a “strategic disaster.”

Haley urged former President Donald Trump to “reverse the downward spiral” and engage directly with Prime Minister Modi. She argued that India remains the only credible counterweight to China’s dominance in Asia, making a strong US-India partnership essential for global stability.