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Former US NSA John Bolton has said that Peter Navarro once tried to spark a clash between Donald Trump and PM Modi by raising trade grievances during a strategic meeting.
PM Modi and Donald Trump (Photo: PTI)
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has disclosed that Peter Navarro, US President Donald Trump’s trade advisor, had once tried to spark a confrontation between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking to NDTV, Bolton referred to an earlier meeting between the two leaders, meant to focus on strategic issues, and revealed how Navarro diverted the discussion and alleged “unfair Indian trade practices” instead.
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“It was a meeting where I had hoped that the two leaders would talk about strategic issues, as dealing with China, dealing with enormous threats that we face through the rest of this century,” Bolton said.
“And he just, Peter, wanted to talk about what he felt were unfair Indian trade practices,” he said.
“Look, I have watched trade people do this. There are always grievances in trade issues. It is in the nature of the subject matter,” Bolton said.
“If you left Peter alone in a room and came back an hour later, he would be in an argument with himself,” Bolton was quoted as saying.
Bolton also said that Donald Trump’s personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was central to Washington’s approach to New Delhi during his tenure.
“So from Trump’s perspective, if he and Prime Minister Modi have a good personal relationship, everything is fine between India and the United States,” he said.
“Obviously, it is much more complicated than that. But at least from the Trump perspective, it’s better than tweets and statements that are negative about Prime Minister Modi,” Bolton told the channel.
Bolton also emphasised that while trade differences between the two countries are real, they should not overshadow larger challenges.
“I’m not saying these issues are going to be easy or quickly resolved, but I think there will be good faith on both sides, and that’s the way to try and work through it,” he said.
“I’m not diminishing the importance of trade. It makes a huge difference in both economies. But let’s keep it in perspective,” Bolton was quoted as saying.
On India’s relations with China, Bolton was quoted as saying that Beijing’s ambitions have not changed.
“I think it depends on whether you believe somehow China has changed its hegemonic aspirations all along its Indo-Pacific periphery. And I don’t think they have,” he said.
The “bigger picture”, according to Bolton, is the strategic reality rather than “the strange things Donald Trump does”.
Bolton also said that both governments should handle these challenges in “a low-key, non-public fashion” to strengthen long-term ties.
In the last few weeks, Navarro has made a series of critical remarks against India, especially for its continuing procurement of Russian crude oil.
On Wednesday, Navarro asserted the United States did not need “unfair trade” with India, but New Delhi is “desperately” looking for access to the American markets.
His remarks came on a day when Trump announced that India and the US are continuing negotiations to address the trade barriers.
The Trump administration official also repeated his previous allegations that India is fuelling Russia’s war machinery.
Trump has doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
India described the US action as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”.
ALSO READ | Trump Aide Navarro Rants Over X Notes On Russian Oil
About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
September 12, 2025, 09:53 IST
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