After 50% Tariff Move, US Calls Ukraine Conflict ‘Modi’s War’ – Diplomatic Strain Deepens

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): Trade and diplomatic tensions between India and the US have reached a boiling point. Just hours after former US President Donald Trump imposed a massive 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, his top trade adviser Peter Navarro has stirred up a new controversy by calling the Russia-Ukraine conflict "Modi's War".

In an interview to Bloomberg Television, Peter Navarro directly targeted India's purchase of cheap oil from Russia. He claimed that this policy of India is providing economic help to Russia, which is allowing it to continue its military aggression in Ukraine. Navarro said, "This is Modi's war, because the path to peace passes through New Delhi."

Navarro also put a condition to put pressure on India. He said that if New Delhi stops buying oil from Moscow, then America can consider reducing the tariff imposed on India by 25 percent. This statement is being seen as a direct American interference in India's independent foreign policy.

India has been constantly saying that it is buying cheap oil from Russia to save its citizens from inflation and ensure energy security. However, America sees this as helping Russia in the war against Ukraine.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Trump administration gave a big blow to India by increasing the import duty on Indian products from 25% to 50%. This tariff will be applicable on more than 55% of Indian goods exported to America. America is India's largest export market and this decision can create a huge crisis for labor-intensive Indian industries like textiles and jewellery. However, some essential goods like electronics and medicines have been exempted from this tariff for the time being.