“Brahmins profiteering at expense of Indians”: Trump aide Navarro slams India’s Russian oil trade

Highlights:

• Navarro alleged Indian refiners profit by reselling Russian oil to Europe at a premium.
• He said “Brahmins” were profiteering “at the expense of the Indian people.”
• Claimed India’s oil purchases were fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine.
• Defended Trump’s tariffs on Indian exports as necessary countermeasures.
• Criticized Modi for deepening ties with Putin and Xi despite India’s democratic values.

In a fresh escalation of Washington’s rhetoric against New Delhi, US President Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro sparked controversy by targeting India’s elite, accusing “Brahmins” of profiteering from discounted Russian oil. In an interview with Fox News, Navarro alleged that Indian refiners were acting as a “laundromat for the Kremlin,” buying cheap crude from Moscow, processing it, and exporting it at a premium to Europe and elsewhere. He claimed that this trade benefits a privileged few “at the expense of the Indian people,” while fueling Russia’s war machine in Ukraine.

Accusations of profiteering and supporting Russian war effort

Navarro accused India of acting as a "laundromat for the Kremlin," alleging that Indian refiners purchase discounted Russian crude oil, refine it, and then sell it at higher prices to European and other international buyers. He claimed this process directly fuels Russia’s war machine in Ukraine, arguing that India’s actions prolong the conflict at the expense of Ukrainian lives. Navarro lamented that US taxpayers are burdened with funding aid for Ukraine while India allegedly profits from supporting Russia’s aggressions.

Critique of Indian elite and trade policies

Navarro’s comments singled out India’s economic elites, particularly using a controversial reference to “Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people.” He criticized the Indian government’s failure to curb this practice and condemned what he perceives as a misuse of natural resources and national interests for private gains. Navarro also defended the punitive tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Indian exports, characterizing them as necessary responses to India’s growing closeness with Moscow and Beijing.

India’s strategic balancing and global diplomacy

The critique came during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping. This was Modi’s first trip to China in seven years, highlighting India’s ongoing efforts to stabilize and rebuild relations after border tensions. Navarro questioned Modi’s geopolitical strategy, expressing bewilderment over India’s warming ties with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping despite being the world’s largest democracy. Navarro’s remarks reflect broader US concerns over India’s non-alignment and strategic autonomy in an increasingly polarized global environment.

Rising US protectionism and trade tensions

Navarro’s statements underline the persistent tension between the US and India on trade policy. Trump’s administration had imposed significant tariffs on Indian imports, citing India’s oil purchases from Russia as one of the key justification points. These tariffs have complicated bilateral relations and added economic strain amidst shifting geopolitical alliances. Navarro’s comments reinforce the US stance that India’s actions contradict its stated democratic and global security commitments, fueling protectionist sentiments and diplomatic discord.

Broader implications for India’s foreign relations

Amid these accusations and economic pressures, Modi’s meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit also underscored India’s continuing importance of its longstanding strategic relationship with Russia. This balancing act between engaging with Western powers like the US and maintaining ties with Russia and China illustrates India’s commitment to strategic autonomy amidst complex international challenges. Navarro’s remarks add fuel to debates on how India should navigate its partnerships without undermining its economic and geopolitical interests.

In summary, Peter Navarro’s sharp criticism of India’s role in the Russian oil trade and his defense of Trump’s tariffs spotlight the deepening friction between India and the US. His comments highlight concerns over India’s strategic choices amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict and worsening US-India trade relations, set against the backdrop of global realignments and rising protectionism.