Washington/New Delhi: U.S. presidential adviser Peter Navarro has once again targeted India, criticizing its crude oil imports from Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war. The controversy erupted after community notes on X defended New Delhi’s purchases, stressing they were driven by energy security needs rather than profit, and that India was not violating international sanctions. Several users also pointed out that the U.S. and other Western nations continue to import certain goods from Russia, accusing Navarro of adopting a double standard.
Navarro, however, dismissed these arguments as “propaganda,” claiming India’s trade with Moscow was strengthening Russia’s war machinery. He argued that the imports were costing Ukrainian lives and American jobs, insisting that New Delhi’s motivation was profit rather than necessity. Highlighting India’s sharp increase in Russian crude imports—from around 1% before February 2022 to nearly 35% today—he alleged that India was effectively serving as a “laundromat” for Kremlin oil while simultaneously nurturing closer ties with China.
This is not Navarro’s first attack on India. Previously, he labeled the country the “king of tariffs” and accused it of exploiting discounted Russian oil at Washington’s expense. In his latest remarks, he also courted controversy by criticizing India’s Brahmin community, alleging they profit at the cost of other citizens. His comments have drawn backlash from analysts, who argue that singling out India is unjust when Western nations themselves maintain trade links with Moscow.