US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have a “excellent working relationship” and can resolve variations over Washington’s threatened tariffs on nations shopping for Russian oil, White Home Commerce Adviser Peter Navarro stated on Tuesday.Navarro’s feedback got here days after the US Senate handed a bipartisan invoice that would permit Trump to impose tariffs of as much as 100% on items from main purchasers of Russian oil and fuel, together with India. The laws seeks to extend financial strain on Moscow by concentrating on nations whose purchases of Russian power are seen as serving to finance its warfare in Ukraine.Responding to an ANI query in regards to the difficulty, Navarro stated the dispute between Washington and New Delhi could be dealt with immediately by Trump and PM Modi. “The president and your prime minister have an excellent working relationship. They will work that out amongst themselves, and it is not for me or any gaggle to get between that,” he stated.Navarro additionally repeated his criticism of India’s purchases of Russian crude, arguing that New Delhi turned closely concerned within the commerce solely after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.“Throughout the Ukraine-Russia warfare, 6-8 months in the past, I believe I wrote wrote an op-ed within the Monetary Occasions, which completely factually appropriately identified that previous to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not concerned within the oil commerce with Russia, however afterwards it received closely concerned and was promoting loads of refined merchandise on behalf of Russia, which helped feed the warfare machine. And that difficulty has been resolved. Perhaps I had somewhat bit to do with that with that op-ed, however I can let you know, I received truly firebombed by the Indian continent on the web. All I’d say to you, do not try this,” Navarro stated.He was referring to an opinion article he had written within the Monetary Occasions by which he criticised India’s Russian oil purchases. Navarro has repeatedly accused New Delhi of serving to maintain Moscow’s warfare effort by shopping for discounted Russian crude, whereas India has maintained that its power procurement is pushed by market situations and nationwide power necessities.The Senate’s Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was authorised on August 7 by an 86-11 vote. The measure would give the US president discretionary authority to impose tariffs of as much as 100% on imports from the world’s high 5 patrons of Russian crude oil or pure fuel.India stays among the many largest patrons of Russian crude, having sharply elevated purchases after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine warfare in 2022. The discounted oil allowed Indian refiners to cut back enter prices and keep provides amid disruptions in world power markets.Navarro’s newest feedback mark a softer tone in direction of the India-US relationship after months of criticism. Early 2026, he had repeatedly attacked India over Russian oil imports and beforehand described New Delhi because the “Maharaja of tariffs”.He had additional defended US tariffs on Indian items as a nationwide safety measure, saying they had been linked to India’s refusal to cease shopping for Russian oil. His remarks about “Brahmins” profiting on the expense of the Indian public additionally drew a powerful response from New Delhi, with the Ministry of Exterior Affairs rejecting what it referred to as inaccurate statements.
