New York | August 30, 2025 – In a major diplomatic twist amid rising tensions between the United States and India, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) has come out strongly in support of India, condemning recent remarks from senior U.S. officials.

The AJC’s intervention follows controversial comments by White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, who described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as “Modi’s war” and claimed the path to peace runs through New Delhi.

AJC Pushes Back Against U.S. Criticism

In a strongly worded statement posted on X on August 29, the AJC said it was “mystified and deeply troubled” by what it called a “chorus of attacks” on India.

Calling Navarro’s accusations a “scurrilous charge,” the group emphasized that India is not responsible for the Russia-Ukraine war.

“We regret energy-hungry India’s reliance on Russian oil — but India isn’t responsible for Putin’s war crimes, is a sister democracy, and an increasingly important strategic partner of the United States,” the AJC declared.

The group urged Washington to reset ties with New Delhi, stressing the strategic value of the relationship.

The Tariffs Dispute

The Trump administration has sharply criticized India for its increased purchase of Russian crude oil, now making up 35–40% of India’s imports, compared to less than 2% before the war in Ukraine.

• On August 1, 2025, President Trump imposed steep tariffs:
  • A 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods.
  • An additional 25% penalty on India’s energy trade with Russia.
• These measures affect more than 55% of Indian exports to the U.S., hitting textiles, jewelry, and other labor-intensive industries.

India has called the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable,” arguing that it is acting in the best interest of its 1.4 billion citizens. Officials also noted that China and the EU import Russian oil but have not been subjected to similar U.S. penalties — raising concerns of a double standard.

Strategic Importance of India

The AJC’s move underscores India’s significance as a key democratic ally and a counterbalance to China in the Indo-Pacific. It highlighted the value of the Quad partnership (U.S., India, Japan, Australia) and warned that Washington’s approach risks undermining decades of progress in bilateral relations.

The controversy comes just months before India is set to host the Quad Leaders’ Summit, an event seen as critical for regional security cooperation.

Legal and Political Pushback in the U.S.

On August 30, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that most of Trump’s sweeping global tariffs — including those on India — were unlawful.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Democrats, also urged Speaker Mike Johnson to move forward with legislation terminating Trump’s “national emergency” declaration that enabled the tariffs. The committee accused the administration of “sabotaging” U.S.-India ties while going soft on China, the world’s largest buyer of Russian oil.

India’s Position

India has reiterated that it will continue energy imports from Russia, describing its relationship with Moscow as “steady and time-tested.” The Ministry of External Affairs said India’s foreign policy decisions will not be dictated by the interests of third countries.

Meanwhile, Indian media and social media users have welcomed the AJC’s statement. One post by @TimesAlgebraIND called it an “unprecedented climax,” applauding the group for reminding Washington of India’s democratic values and strategic importance.

Looking Ahead

While tensions between Washington and New Delhi remain high, some analysts remain optimistic. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently expressed confidence in the resilience of U.S.-India ties, pointing to the strong personal rapport between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

For now, the AJC’s defense of India highlights the delicate balance of global alliances at a time of geopolitical flux. As the world’s largest democracy and a rising economic power, India is navigating a path that preserves both its strategic autonomy and its key partnerships.