Trump Aide Criticizes India as “Laundromat for Russia” Over Oil Trade

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has sharply criticized India for its oil imports from Russia, calling the country a “laundromat for the Kremlin.” Navarro’s comments follow his earlier remark labeling India the “Maharaja of tariffs” amid ongoing U.S. trade tensions.
Navarro highlighted that India’s oil purchases from Russia were negligible before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and now constitute 30-35% of its oil imports. He described this trade as a “refining profiteering scheme” that indirectly funds Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Navarro argued that India does not need Russian oil and urged the country to consider its role in the global economy, stating that its current actions “are not creating peace. It’s perpetuating the war.”
The remarks come as U.S. tariffs on Indian imports remain a point of contention. Navarro pointed out India’s trade deficit with the U.S. and suggested that revenue India earns from trade with America indirectly supports Russia’s military, adding pressure on U.S. taxpayers to fund aid to Ukraine.
Indian officials, however, have defended the country’s trade policies, noting that China is the largest buyer of Russian oil and questioning the rationale behind the threatened U.S. tariffs. Trade relations between the U.S. and India continue to face strain amid these disputes.