Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, even as US trade adviser Peter Navarro escalates his criticism of India with controversial caste-related remarks. The high-profile meeting between Modi and Putin comes against the backdrop Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Indian goods, and ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war.
Modi, who arrived in Tianjin for the SCO summit after seven years, had addressed the plenary session today (Monday) and outlined India’s approach to regional cooperation under the multilateral grouping. Following the address, Modi will engage in bilateral talks with Putin before returning to India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed.
The Modi-Putin meeting assumes significance as it takes place amid persistent US pressure on India over its continued energy trade with Russia. President Trump has imposed 50 percent tariffs on India, comprising a 25 percent duty on Indian products and an additional 25 per cent penalty linked to purchases of Russian oil. Despite these measures, India has maintained its strategic ties with Moscow.
Ahead of his meeting with Putin, Modi held a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last Friday. During the call, Zelensky urged India to send a strong message to Russia and actively contribute to efforts for peace. “It is impossible to talk about peace when our cities and populated areas are under constant attack. India should be ready to make the necessary efforts during the meetings on the sidelines of the summit and send the right message to Russia and other leaders,” Zelensky stated after the discussion.
Russia, however, has rejected proposals for a meeting with Zelensky, while Trump’s attempts to broker peace have not succeeded. Meanwhile, Russian aggression continues on the battlefield, and Moscow has signaled that Putin will visit India later this year for further talks. Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Russia and held discussions with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reinforcing the strategic dialogue between the two nations.
Even as diplomatic efforts intensify, Peter Navarro, a key trade adviser of Trump, has reignited controversy by targeting India with divisive rhetoric. In an interview with Fox News, Navarro alleged that the Brahmin community in India is exploiting the country’s economic situation for profit. “The upper caste Brahmin community is making huge profits from Indians. We need to stop that,” Navarro remarked.
He also lashed out at Prime Minister Modi for aligning with Russia and China. “Modi is the leader of the world’s largest democracy. Yet Modi is teaming up with Putin and Xi Jinping. I don’t understand why,” Navarro said.
Justifying Trump’s 50 percent tariff on India, Navarro claimed that India significantly increased its oil purchases from Russia after the Ukraine invasion, buying crude at discounted rates and exporting refined products in large volumes. According to him, such moves have bolstered Moscow’s ability to sustain the war. “India used to buy very small amounts of oil from Russia. But after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India started buying oil from Russia at a low price. It is also exporting it in large quantities. India’s efforts to get closer to Russia and engage in trade relations are fueling the Russian invasion of Ukraine. With this, Ukraine will have to pay more to defend itself,” Navarro asserted.
The trade adviser also criticized India’s trade policies, describing the country as “the king of tariffs.” He argued that India benefits from exporting goods while restricting access to its domestic market for foreign products. “India exports a lot of goods. But it does not allow foreign-made goods to be sold in India. This trade imbalance has hurt American workers and ordinary Ukrainians alike,” Navarro said.
Navarro’s remarks have sparked widespread condemnation, pointing to the divisive nature of his caste-focused narrative. Nevertheless, as Modi engages with global leaders at the SCO summit, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin, New Delhi continues to navigate a complex diplomatic landscape shaped by U.S. tariffs, Russia-Ukraine tensions, and calls for India to play a more active role in promoting peace.
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