In a sharp escalation of rhetoric against India’s energy dealings with Russia, former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has alleged that segments of India’s elite are profiting from discounted Russian oil — at the expense of ordinary Indian citizens and global efforts to isolate Moscow.
In an interview on Sunday, Navarro said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great leader, but I don’t understand how the head of the world’s largest democracy is aligning with two authoritarian regimes — Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.”
Addressing Indian citizens directly, he remarked, “The Indian people should understand what’s happening. Certain powerful groups are profiteering while the broader population bears the cost. That needs to stop.”
Navarro, who served as senior counsellor for trade and manufacturing during the previous Trump administration, has become
increasingly vocal in his criticism of India in recent weeks, as diplomatic tensions rise over energy imports and trade tariffs.
He defended the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs imposed on Indian goods under President Donald Trump, along with an additional 25 per cent penalty tied specifically to India’s continued imports of Russian crude oil — despite Western sanctions on Moscow. India has called these tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable.”
Navarro also drew attention to China’s similar oil trade with Russia but argued that tariffs on both countries are now “over 50 per cent,” raising concerns about potential blowback on the US economy. “There’s a question — how much higher do you want to go without actually hurting ourselves?” he asked.
He alleged that India’s oil imports from Russia have transformed dramatically since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. “Before the war, India barely bought Russian crude. Now, Russian refiners have cut deals with big Indian oil companies.
Putin offers a discount, India refines it, and sells it globally — at a big premium. They’re making a ton of money.”
“This fuels the Russian war machine,” Navarro claimed, further alleging that India had become “a laundromat for Kremlin oil.”
India has consistently defended its energy purchases, citing national interest, energy security, and market-based pricing as the guiding principles. Since sanctions on Russia came into effect, Moscow has emerged as India’s largest crude oil supplier, overtaking Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Navarro also warned of global consequences. “While India profits from discounted oil, US taxpayers are sending billions to help Ukraine defend itself. Meanwhile, India imposes some of the world’s highest tariffs, exports heavily to the US, but blocks access to American businesses.”
“This dynamic is hurting American workers, damaging taxpayers, and prolonging a war. That’s not sustainable,” he added.
Navarro has previously drawn criticism for referring to the Ukraine conflict as “Modi’s war”, claiming that “the road to peace runs partly through New Delhi.”
While Navarro’s statements reflect a more confrontational posture typical of the Trump administration, the current US Governmenthas maintained a more measured tone, recognizing India’s strategic autonomy and growing influence on the global stage.
Interestingly, China, which imports even more Russian oil than India, has drawn less public criticism from US officials - a discrepancy that analysts say reflects Washington’s complex geopolitical balancing act in Asia.