Navarro’s remark misleading, and we reject it, says MEA

NEW DELHI: Indian govt rejected US President Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro’s recent remarks on India’s ties with Russia, saying he had made inaccurate and misleading statements. Navarro has repeatedly attacked India in the past few weeks for “profiteering” from Russian crude by reselling its refined form in the international market. Accusing India of bankrolling Russia’s war, Navarro even said India’s acting as Kremlin’s laundromat and what’s going on in Ukraine is Modi’s, and not Putin’s, war.”We have seen some wrong and misleading comments or statements from Navarro. And, we would like to say that this is unacceptable for us and we reject it,” said MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal.The official said India and the US share a comprehensive global strategic partnership and India would like to carry it forward, based on its substantive agenda. “There should be mutual understanding between the two countries, with shared interests and mutual respect. This relationship between the US and India is very important for us. Both our countries share a comprehensive global strategic partnership, which is anchored in our shared interests, democratic values and robust people-to-people ties. This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges,” added the official.MEA did not respond to Trump’s remark Friday that the US had lost Russia and India to “deepest, darkest China”. Trump’s remarks followed the SCO summit in Tianjin in which the three countries signalled solidarity against Western unilateralism.As it remains hopeful of hosting the Quad summit in Nov, despite continued display of hostility towards India, MEA also described as speculative reports that Trump won’t travel to India for the summit. “The Quad is a valuable forum for discussion on shared interests in a number of areas. The Leaders’ Summit is scheduled through diplomatic consultations among the four partners,” said the official.Both Japan and Australia have agreed to participate in the summit, but question marks remain about the US, as the rift over trade continues to deepen. Diplomatic sources say that for Quad to take place, it’s essential for India and the US to settle their differences in the next few weeks.In his remarks, Navarro has also said the road to peace in the Ukraine conflict passes through New Delhi. However, without actively mediating in the conflict, India has continued to press upon both Russia and Ukraine to stop fighting and return to dialogue and diplomacy. “As far as the conflict in Ukraine is concerned, we welcome all the recent efforts towards establishing peace in Ukraine. We hope all parties will proceed constructively. India supports an early end of the conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace,” said Jaiswal, reiterating the message Modi conveyed to Putin when the two met in China last week.