White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has openly criticised India’s decision to import Russian oil during a briefing in Washington, DC, defending US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports. Navarro described India as “cosying up” to Chinese President Xi Jinping and accused the country of acting as a “laundromat” for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

While acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a great leader, Navarro stressed that India does not require Russian oil and alleged that it is engaging in what he called a “refining profiteering scheme,” by buying Russian crude, refining it, and exporting it at premium prices to Europe, Africa, and Asia. He claimed that before the Ukraine war in February 2022, India purchased almost no Russian oil, but the proportion has since increased to 30-35 per cent.

Navarro also defended the Trump administration’s tariffs on India. Initially, a 25 per cent levy was imposed due to perceived unfair trade practices, and an additional 25 per cent tariff was added due to the US trade deficit with India. Navarro explained that the revenues India earns from selling goods to the US are used to buy Russian oil, indirectly funding military activities in Ukraine. He described this as a threat to American workers and taxpayers, asserting that “the road to peace runs through New Delhi.”

On the other hand, India has maintained a firm stance on the issue. The Indian government has emphasized that purchasing Russian oil is part of safeguarding national interests and has called the US tariffs “unfortunate”. India pointed out that several other countries are also taking similar steps in accordance with their own national priorities.

The controversy highlights the ongoing geopolitical and trade tensions between the US and India, particularly in the context of the Ukraine conflict and global energy markets. While the US accuses India of perpetuating the war indirectly, India insists on its sovereign right to make energy procurement decisions in alignment with its strategic and economic interests.

Navarro’s comments underscore Trump’s trade policy stance, linking global energy trade, military funding in Ukraine, and US domestic economic impacts. His assertion that India’s refining and resale of Russian oil profits the Kremlin directly ties energy imports to geopolitical consequences.

India’s clear response reflects its focus on balancing international relations, energy security, and domestic priorities. While the US emphasizes sanctions and tariffs as tools of trade diplomacy, India is prioritizing pragmatic decision-making in its energy and foreign policy, maintaining a careful stance amidst growing tensions between major powers.

This development adds to the broader narrative of US-India trade relations, highlighting both economic friction and strategic diplomacy. The situation also signals that future discussions on trade, energy, and geopolitical alliances will likely remain complex and closely watched by global markets.

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