Former diplomat and ex-MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Friday asserted that while the Trump administration is attempting to exert “all kinds of pressure” on New Delhi, India will continue to uphold its principle of strategic autonomy and will not allow itself to be dictated by external powers.
Swarup’s remarks came in response to comments made by White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro, who defended President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, accusing India of indirectly funding Russia’s war effort in Ukraine through oil trade.
Speaking to ANI, Swarup said, “The current relationship is not in good shape. Given the personal rapport between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, many expected a trade deal to materialize early. Unfortunately, that has not happened. US officials are trying to put all kinds of pressure on India. But India is a proud nation, guided by strategic autonomy. We will not be dictated by anyone.”
At the same time, he expressed hope for progress, noting that there is still time for both sides to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. However, he cautioned that the current rhetoric from Washington is not conducive to improving ties.
Navarro, regarded as the key architect behind the tariff hike, justified the move in a post on X, writing: “President Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports are now in effect. This isn’t just about India’s unfair trade—it’s about cutting off the financial lifeline India has extended to Putin’s war machine.”
He alleged that India’s purchase of discounted Russian crude, refined and sold internationally, allows Moscow to earn hard currency to sustain its war. He further accused India of maintaining high trade barriers against US goods while profiting from this arrangement.
The criticism, however, comes even as Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted on August 16 during a joint press conference with Trump in Alaska that India-Russia trade has grown by 20 per cent since Trump’s return to office.