Washington: Former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has launched a sharp attack on India’s oil policy, accusing the country of helping Russia bypass sanctions through its crude purchases.
Navarro, a close Trump ally and known China hawk, said: “India has become a laundromat for the Kremlin. The Brahmins are profiteering at the expense of the Indian people while Putin’s war machine keeps running.”
He further argued that India’s role in refining and re-exporting Russian oil was undermining U.S. efforts to isolate Moscow. The remarks came shortly after the Trump administration raised tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 50%.
Navarro suggested that tariff relief could be possible if New Delhi reduced its reliance on Moscow. “You can’t expect fair trade benefits when you bankroll our adversaries,” he said.
India responded strongly, dismissing Navarro’s claims as baseless. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated: “India has not broken any international rules. Our crude purchases are fully within the G7 price-cap framework. These imports have helped stabilize global oil markets during a period of turbulence.”
Political leaders in India also reacted sharply. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called Navarro’s reference to caste “deeply offensive,” saying: “This is a sinister attempt to communalize India’s trade policy.”
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Meanwhile, Congress leader Udit Raj controversially supported Navarro’s claim, saying India’s elite class benefits most from discounted Russian crude — a comment that sparked further debate at home.
Analysts warn that Navarro’s confrontational tone could strain U.S.–India ties at a time when both nations are looking to strengthen cooperation on defense, technology, and supply chains.
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