Washington DC: Former US President Donald Trump’s senior trade adviser, Peter Navarro, lashed out at social media platform X after it fact-checked his remarks accusing India of profiteering from Russian oil imports. Navarro described the platform’s clarification as a “crap note,” sparking fresh controversy amid already strained India-US trade relations.

In his post on X, Navarro alleged that India imports Russian oil “purely to profit” and claimed the revenues fuel Russia’s war machine. He also accused India of imposing high tariffs that “cost U.S. jobs.”

However, X countered his statements with fact-checking notes, clarifying that India’s oil purchases are legal, undertaken for energy security, and do not violate international sanctions. The platform also pointed out that the United States continues to import Russian commodities such as uranium, highlighting what it called a “double standard.”

Reacting sharply, Navarro accused Elon Musk of allowing “propaganda” on X and reiterated his charge that India’s imports are profiteering moves. He wrote, “Stop killing Ukrainians. Stop taking American jobs,” directly blaming India’s trade decisions for global instability.

Navarro’s criticism comes against the backdrop of the Trump administration imposing secondary tariffs of over 50 percent on Indian exports, one of the highest after Brazil. He has previously described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as “Modi’s war,” blaming India’s continued purchases of Russian oil for strengthening Moscow.

The controversy adds to recent strains in India-US relations. During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen sharing warm exchanges with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump later remarked that the US had “lost India to China,” though he later softened his tone, calling the India-US relationship “very special” and affirming friendship with PM Modi. In response, PM Modi said he “fully reciprocates” Trump’s sentiments, stressing India’s commitment to a “positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.”