---
title: "Peter Navarro calls India a “Laundromat for the Kremlin,” India hits back"
url: https://alitoday.com/peter-navarro-calls-india-a-laundromat-for-the-kremlin-india-hits-back/
date: 2025-09-01
modified: 2025-09-01
author: "Alitoday"
description: "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,..."
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Politics"
tags:
  - "america"
  - "Donald Trump"
  - "Peter Navarro"
image: https://alitoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/converted-15-1024x576.avif
word_count: 269
---

# Peter Navarro calls India a “Laundromat for the Kremlin,” India hits back

**Washingto**n: Former White House trade adviser[ Peter Navarro](https://peternavarro.com/) 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.”*

Also Read | [Trump ends U.S. Sanctions on Syria](https://alitoday.com/trump-ends-u-s-sanctions-on-syria/)

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.