Upping the ante over India’s purchase of oil from Russia, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro accused New Delhi of acting as a “laundromat” for the Kremlin.”
Referring to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Navarro alleged that India does not appear to recognise its role in the bloodshed. He said that New Delhi’s decision to buy oil from Russia is “not creating peace, but perpetuating the war.”
“India doesn’t appear to want to recognise its role in the bloodshed. It’s cosying up to Xi Jinping. They don’t need the (Russian) oil. It’s a refining profiteering scheme. It’s a laundromat for the Kremlin. I love India. Modi is a great leader, but please, India, look at your role in the global economy. What you’re doing right now is not creating peace. It’s perpetuating the war,” Navarro said.
India Does Not Need Russian Oil
He argued that India does not need Russian oil, pointing out that before Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India imported less than one percent of its oil from Russia, compared to the 35–40% share now.
“Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India bought virtually no Russian oil. The argument now, when this percentage has gone up to 30-35%, that somehow they need Russian oil, is nonsense. Russian refiners have gotten in bed with Italian refiners in a game in which they get cheap Russian crude at a discount. Then they make refined products, which they sell at premium prices into Europe, Africa and Asia,” he said.,
Navarro On US Tariff
Navarro further claimed that the US imposed a 25% tariff on India over what he described as unfair trade practices, followed by another 25% due to New Delhi’s Russian oil imports.
“In India, 25% tariffs were put in place because they cheat us on trade. Then 25% because of the Russian oil. They have higher tariffs, Maharaja tariffs. We run a massive trade deficit with them,” he said.
According to him, India’s buying of oil from Russia generates profits that indirectly fund the Kremlin’s arms production, escalating the conflict in Ukraine and forcing the US to provide more military aid.
“So that hurts American workers and businesses. Then they use the money that they get from us when they sell us stuff to buy Russian oil, which then is processed by refiners, and they make a bunch of money there, but then the Russians use the money to build more arms and kill Ukrainians. So American taxpayers have to provide more aid, military style, to the Ukrainians. That’s insane, and President Trump sees that chessboard beautifully. In many ways, the road to peace runs through New Delhi,” he said.
Nikki Haley’s On US Tariff
Navarro’s remarks came shortly after former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley emphasised the importance of treating India as a “prized free and democratic partner” in the global effort to counter China’s influence. Writing in Newsweek, she cautioned that jeopardising 25 years of steady progress in US-India relations would be a “strategic disaster.”
Trump’s Tariff
Trump announced 25% tariffs on Indian goods in July, despite hopes of an interim trade deal that could have helped avoid steep duties. Days later, he imposed another 25%, raising the total to 50%, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
