Peter Navarro, an outspoken advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who infamously termed the Ukraine War as the 'Modi War', has once again made incendiary remarks. While criticizing India, Navarro introduced a caste angle, stating that Brahmins in India are profiteering at the expense of other Indians. Navarro asserted that this must be halted.
Navarro inherits the tradition begun by shrewd American leaders such as Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger. A controversial and staunchly protectionist economist with a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard, Navarro is the author of 'Death by China', reflecting his anti-China stance.
Known for his fierce statements labeling India as "the Maharaja of Tariffs" due to high tariffs and purchasing oil from Russia, Navarro has been a focal point of diplomatic controversies.
Criticizing India for buying crude oil from Russia, Navarro once again used the caste narrative. Such responses from foreign diplomats on India's social structure are rare.
In an interview with an American channel, Navarro stated,
"Modi is a great leader. I fail to understand why, as the world's largest democracy, India fraternizes with Putin and Xi Jinping."
The statement by Navarro, the American trade advisor, came at a time when PM Modi was attending the SCO meeting. He met President Xi Jinping just yesterday and is meeting President Putin today.
Navarro further criticized India, stating,
"To the people of India, I urge you to understand what's happening here. Brahmins are profiteering at the expense of other Indians. This must be stopped."
Notably, Navarro previously remarked that the path to peace in Ukraine passes through New Delhi.
Earlier, in a conversation with Bloomberg TV, Navarro stated that 'Indians are quite arrogant, claiming that buying oil is a matter of sovereignty, and they can purchase from whom they wish at any time.'
Sunday: PM Modi’s Meeting with President Jinping
On Sunday, at the SCO forum, PM Modi and President Jinping engaged in a bilateral meeting. During this, both China and India expressed that after years of tension, including a long-standing border dispute, trust between them is deepening.
Xi told Modi that China and India should be partners rather than rivals, while Modi remarked that there is now an "atmosphere of peace and stability" between them. Xi said that "both sides should view and manage their relations from a strategic and long-term perspective," and "remaining friends is the right choice for both sides."
