White House adviser Navarro renews tirade against India’s Russian oil imports
Washington, September 08 (KMS): White House adviser Peter Navarro has launched another attack on India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, accusing New Delhi of profiteering while fuelling Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Navarro wrote that India “buys Russia oil solely to profiteer,” alleging it had no such imports before 2022. His remarks were flagged by X’s community notes, which pointed out that India’s oil trade is driven by energy security and remains within international law. The notes also exposed double standards, noting that the US itself continues to import Russian goods, including uranium.
In an earlier post, Navarro branded India an “oil money laundromat for the Kremlin”. He accused New Delhi of “strategic freeloading” — buying Russian weapons while seeking US defence technology and investments.
The spat comes at a time when India-US ties remain strained after President Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25 percent punitive duty linked to Russian crude imports. Analysts say the escalating row reflects Modi regime’s growing diplomatic isolation.
Russia has emerged as India’s largest oil supplier, making up nearly 35 percent of its crude imports in 2024, up from just 0.2 percent before the Ukraine conflict. India imported around 1.8 million barrels per day of Russian crude last year, according to official figures.
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