India found itself at the center of a global digital and political crossfire after former Trump aide Peter Navarro accused New Delhi of “profiteering” from Russian oil sales. His claim, shared widely on X, suggested India’s discounted crude imports were indirectly funding Moscow’s war chest. But X’s Community Notes feature quickly flagged the post, adding context that India’s purchases were legal, vital for its energy security, and consistent with global trade patterns while also pointing out that Western nations themselves continued selective Russian imports.
The fact-check triggered an angry response from Navarro, who dismissed the note as a “crap” intervention and accused Elon Musk’s platform of spreading propaganda. Musk, however, countered that Community Notes apply to “everyone, no exceptions,” reaffirming X’s attempt at transparency. For India, this episode is more than an online spat: it highlights New Delhi’s delicate balancing act securing affordable fuel for 1.4 billion citizens, while facing Western criticism for not aligning with sanctions.
The controversy underscores how India’s strategic choices are increasingly scrutinized in the information battlefield, where social media corrections shape diplomatic narratives as much as official statements.
