White House Advisor Criticizes India Over Russian Oil Purchases
On Thursday, Peter Navarro, a trade advisor in the White House, sharply criticized India, labeling it a “laundromat for the Kremlin.” This criticism follows an opinion piece where he accused India of fostering closer ties with both Russia and China. Navarro claimed that India is effectively running a “profiteering scheme” by purchasing discounted crude oil from Russia and described the nation as a “Maharaj” regarding tariffs.
This recent statement aligns with Navarro’s earlier remarks in an opinion article, where he condemned India for its ongoing import of Russian oil. He has consistently argued that India’s justification for buying Russian oil—due to energy needs—does not hold water. Navarro has also stated that India plays a crucial role in achieving peace and that the path to stability “runs through New Delhi.”
His comments came as India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, met with his Russian counterpart in Moscow, reiterating India’s position. Jaishankar remarked that the U.S. stance on India’s oil imports is confusing, especially since the U.S. had previously encouraged India to help stabilize the global energy market. He pointed out that China, not India, is the largest buyer of Russian oil and that the U.S. has not targeted Beijing with any similar measures.
Allegations of India’s Role in Ukraine Conflict
Navarro expressed his views to reporters, dismissing the notion that India needs to buy Russian oil. He warned that additional tariffs might be on the horizon. He further claimed that India is reluctant to acknowledge its indirect contribution to the conflict in Ukraine through its trade with Russia.
“International trade helps fund the war,” he stated, suggesting that revenue from Indian purchases of Russian oil is being used to finance military actions in Ukraine. He labeled it “insane” that American taxpayers end up providing more aid to Ukraine due to these actions.
Claims of Profiteering by Indian Refiners
Navarro has accused India of operating a “profiteering” setup, alleging that Indian refiners are collaborating with their Russian counterparts to benefit financially. He indicated that since the war began, India’s imports of Russian oil have surged from 1% to 35%. In various interviews, he has criticized India for unfair trading practices that he claims harm American jobs and businesses.
He alleged that Russian oil is sold at a discount to refiners who then sell the refined products at a higher price to various markets, including Africa and Europe. During a recent interview, he emphasized that this situation is solely about profit for Indian refineries, causing a negative impact on American trade and workers.
India has significantly increased its purchase of Russian oil since Western nations imposed sanctions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Indian officials assert that their energy decisions are based on national interests and market needs, with imports of Russian oil climbing from just 1.7% in 2020 to over 35% expected by 2025. This shift has made Russia the largest oil supplier to India.
