India is a “Maharaj” in tariffs and it’s operating a “profiteering scheme” through the use of discounted Russian crude oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has mentioned, in yet one more sharp criticism of New Delhi.
Mr. Navarro’s feedback got here on a day External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to criticism of India by American officers for its vitality ties with Russia and mentioned the U.S. itself had requested New Delhi to assist stabilise international vitality markets by shopping for Russian oil.
The White House Trade Adviser additionally talked about how India is “cosying up to” Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The relations between New Delhi and Washington are on a downturn after U.S. President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian items to a whopping 50%, together with 25% further duties for India’s buy of Russian crude oil.
“Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India virtually bought no Russian oil… It was like almost one per cent of their need. The percentage has now gone up to 35%,” Mr. Navarro instructed reporters in the U.S.
Mr. Navarro’s contemporary assault on India got here three days after he wrote a bit in the Financial Times slamming the nation for its procurement of Russian crude oil.
He mentioned the argument that India wants Russian oil to fulfill its vitality necessities doesn’t make any sense.
“They get cheap Russian oil and make refined products which they sell at premium prices in Europe, Africa and Asia,” he mentioned, including “it is purely profiteering by the Indian refining industry.”
“What is the net impact on Americans because of our trade with India? They are Maharaj in tariff. (We have) higher non-tariff barriers, massive trade deficit etc — and that hurts American workers and American businesses,” he mentioned.
“The money they get from us, they use it to buy Russian oil, which then is processed by their refiners,” he mentioned.
“The Russians use the money to build arms and kill Ukrainians and American tax-payers have to provide more aid and military hardware to Ukrainians. That’s insane,” he added.
“India does not want to recognise its role in the bloodshed,” he mentioned, including India is operating a “profiteering” scheme.
Though the U.S. imposed a further 25% tariff on India for its vitality ties with Russia, it has not initiated related actions in opposition to China, the biggest purchaser of Russian crude oil.
Defending its buy of Russian crude oil, India has been sustaining that its vitality procurement is pushed by nationwide curiosity and market dynamics.
Also learn: India’s buy of Russian crude funding battle in Ukraine, has to cease: U.S. commerce adviser Navarro
India turned to buying Russian oil offered at a reduction after Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its provides over its invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022.
Consequently, from a mere 1.7% share in complete oil imports in 2019-20, Russia’s share elevated to 35.1% in 2024-25, and it’s now the most important oil provider to India.
