The controversy over the India Russia oil trade has intensified after Donald Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, openly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Calling the meeting a “shame,” Navarro accused India of siding with Moscow and Beijing instead of strengthening its ties with Washington. He claimed the India Russia oil trade was helping to fund Russia’s war in Ukraine while American taxpayers were left to bear the cost of supporting Kyiv.
“Maharaja Of Tariffs” Remark
Navarro has repeatedly targeted India’s trade policies. Earlier, he branded India the “Maharaja of tariffs,” alleging New Delhi maintains some of the world’s highest trade barriers. He added that unfair tariffs, coupled with the India Russia oil trade, made India an unreliable economic partner for the US.
“Kremlin Laundromat” And Other Allegations
Escalating his criticism, Navarro accused Indian refiners of acting as a “laundromat for the Kremlin” by purchasing discounted crude, refining it, and selling it at higher margins. He also controversially claimed that certain elites in India were profiting at the expense of ordinary citizens through this trade.
India’s Response
India has strongly defended its position, insisting that buying cheaper oil is vital for energy security and economic stability. Officials point out that the G7’s $60-per-barrel price cap was designed to allow buyers like India to continue sourcing Russian crude without breaching sanctions.
Despite this, Washington has imposed “secondary tariffs” on Indian exports, even though China remains one of the largest buyers of Russian oil. New Delhi maintains that the India Russia oil trade is about securing affordable energy and not about taking geopolitical sides.
FAQs
Q: Why is the US criticising the India Russia oil trade?
A: Washington says the trade helps fund Russia’s war in Ukraine and threatens global stability.
Q: How has India defended the India Russia oil trade?
A: India argues discounted oil is crucial to control inflation and keep energy prices stable.
Q: What did Trump’s adviser say about Modi’s SCO meeting?
A: Navarro called it a “shame” and urged India to side with the US instead of Russia.
Q: Why is India called the “Maharaja of tariffs”?
A: Navarro claimed India imposes some of the highest tariffs compared to other major economies.
