Washington/New Delhi (September 2, 2025): Former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has called on India to abandon its balancing act between major powers and align firmly with the United States and Europe in the Ukraine war, warning that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach to Moscow and Beijing risks undermining India’s democratic credentials.
Navarro, a long-time ally of Donald Trump and one of his closest policy architects, argued that New Delhi holds a pivotal role in shaping the global response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The road to peace in many ways runs at least partly through New Delhi. It’s time for Modi to step up. I have great respect for Modi. I love the Indian people. But he needs to be with us in Europe and Ukraine, and not with Russia on this,” Navarro told U.S. media.
Criticism of Modi’s Moscow-Beijing Ties
Navarro sharpened his criticism of Modi’s recent outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, both of whom he met at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin.
“It was a shame to see Modi getting in bed with Xi Jinping and Putin. I’m not sure what he’s thinking. We hope he comes around to seeing that he needs to be with us and not Russia,” Navarro said.
The comments come as India continues to purchase discounted Russian crude oil, defying Western sanctions, while also engaging Beijing in what New Delhi calls a “development partnership.”
The Strategic Pressure on India
For Washington, India’s choices carry disproportionate weight. As the world’s most populous democracy and a central player in both the Quad (with the US, Japan, and Australia) and the Global South, New Delhi’s stance could tilt narratives of legitimacy around the Ukraine war.
Navarro suggested that India’s growing energy ties with Moscow, coupled with diplomatic engagement with Beijing, undermine its claim as a democratic counterweight in Asia.
India’s Delicate Balancing Act
Modi’s government has thus far pursued a carefully hedged strategy:
- Maintaining strong defense and energy ties with Russia.
- Expanding trade with the United States and Europe.
- Managing a fragile, often tense relationship with China.
While Washington and Brussels want New Delhi to decisively cut off Moscow, Indian officials argue that their policy is driven by national interest and strategic autonomy, not alignment with any one bloc.
A Pivotal Moment
Navarro’s remarks underscore a growing impatience in Washington with India’s middle path. With Trump’s $500 billion Stargate AI and defense initiative reshaping America’s global posture, pressure is mounting on allies and partners to pick sides more clearly.
Whether India moves closer to the U.S. or continues its balancing strategy may define not only the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict, but also the architecture of the emerging multipolar world order.
