Navarro Targets India Over Russian Oil Purchases, Accuses ‘Brahmins’ of Profiteering
New York: In a fresh attack on India’s energy ties with Russia, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has alleged that sections of India’s elite are “profiteering at the expense of the Indian people” through purchases of discounted Russian crude.
Speaking to Fox News Sunday, Mr. Navarro, who served as Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing in the Trump administration, said: “Prime Minister Modi is a great leader, but I don’t understand how he can align with President Putin and President Xi Jinping when he leads the world’s largest democracy.”
Mr. Navarro went on to say that “Brahmins are profiteering at the expense of the Indian people,” and urged New Delhi to halt its dealings with Moscow.
The remarks come against the backdrop of heightened U.S.-India trade tensions, with Washington imposing steep tariffs on Indian goods. The Trump administration had earlier announced a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian exports and an additional 25% levy tied to India’s Russian oil imports. New Delhi has described the measures as “unjustified and unreasonable.”
Explaining Washington’s position, Mr. Navarro claimed that before the Ukraine conflict, India’s imports of Russian oil were negligible. “Now, refiners in India are buying discounted Russian crude, processing it, and exporting it to other markets at a premium, which strengthens Moscow’s war effort,” he said, characterising India as a “laundromat for the Kremlin.”
India has consistently defended its energy purchases from Russia, arguing that procurement decisions are based on national interest and market considerations. Since Western sanctions on Russian crude came into effect following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has emerged as India’s top energy supplier.
Mr. Navarro also criticised India’s tariff regime, calling it “the highest in the world.” “They export to us, but restrict our market access. Who suffers? American workers, taxpayers, and Ukrainians are facing Russian drones,” he said.
He has previously described the Ukraine conflict as “Modi’s war” and argued that “the road to peace runs partly through New Delhi.”
While India has been under sustained U.S. scrutiny for its purchases of Russian crude, Washington has notably avoided strong criticism of China, the largest importer of Russian oil.
