Washington: Peter Navarro, trade adviser to former US President Donald Trump, voiced concern over India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil. He noted that Indian refiners import crude from Moscow, refine it, and then sell it to markets in Europe and beyond.
In an interview with Fox News, Navarro described India as a “laundromat for the Kremlin” and suggested that elites were gaining while ordinary people bore the cost. He also linked the oil trade to Russia’s ability to continue its war in Ukraine.
Observations on Oil Imports
According to Navarro, India had limited oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine conflict. He said the sudden growth in imports had made India a key player in the global energy chain. “It results in hardship for Ukrainians and additional spending by US taxpayers,” he added.
Views on Global Ties
Navarro also reflected on India’s relations with Moscow and Beijing. While praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a strong leader, he questioned why India would work closely with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping despite being the world’s largest democracy.
Context of His Remarks
The comments came during Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he met Xi Jinping. Modi is also expected to meet Putin, a development that coincides with growing debate in Washington over India’s oil trade with Russia.