Peter Navarro, a senior trade adviser to former President Donald Trump, has leveled fresh criticism against India, accusing the country of being a “laundromat for the Kremlin” due to its oil trade with Russia. This remark follows Navarro’s previous description of India as the “Maharaja of tariffs,” a reference to the high duties imposed on US goods entering India.

In a recent media interaction, Navarro questioned India’s oil imports from Russia, asserting that before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India’s oil purchases from Russia were minimal. He dismissed the justification that India now needs Russian oil, calling it “nonsense.” He went on to criticize India’s reluctance to acknowledge its role in the ongoing conflict, accusing it of “cosying up to Xi Jinping” (Chinese President).

Navarro further stated that India’s dealings with Russia amounted to a “refining profiteering scheme,” suggesting that India is profiting from refining Russian oil, which ultimately supports the Kremlin’s war efforts. Despite his harsh criticism, Navarro expressed admiration for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging India to reconsider its actions in the global economy.

“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.

Navarro’s comments come as the deadline approaches for President Trump’s threatened 50% tariffs on Indian imports. Last month, Trump introduced 25% tariffs on Indian goods, with plans to double them. As of August 27, the remaining tariffs will take effect, escalating trade tensions between the two countries.

Navarro argued that the trade deficit between India and the US negatively impacts American businesses, adding that the money India earns through trade with the US is being used to fund Russia’s war efforts. He claimed that Indian oil refiners profit from processing Russian oil, while the proceeds contribute to further violence in Ukraine.

“The American taxpayer money goes into providing military aid to Ukraine, and that’s insane,” Navarro stated. “In many ways, the road to peace runs through New Delhi.”

This is not the first time Navarro has criticized India’s oil trade with Russia. In a recent opinion piece for the Financial Times, he described India’s actions as “opportunistic” and detrimental to global efforts to isolate the Russian economy.

Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during a visit to Moscow, expressed confusion over the US tariffs, highlighting that India is not the largest purchaser of Russian oil—China holds that distinction. Jaishankar also pointed out that the European Union is the largest buyer of LNG, and some countries in the global south have seen a surge in trade with Russia since 2022.

As tensions continue to mount over trade and oil, the ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and the US looks set to escalate further.

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