Maharaj in tariffs: White House Trade Adviser Navarro criticisesIndia over Russian oil

India is a “Maharaj” in tariffs and it’s working a “profiteering scheme” by utilizing discounted Russian crude oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has stated, 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 power ties with Russia and stated the U.S. itself had requested New Delhi to assist stabilise world power markets by shopping for Russian oil.

The White House Trade Adviser additionally talked about how India is “cosying as much as” 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 just about purchased no Russian oil… It was like virtually one per cent of their want. The proportion has now gone as much as 35%,” Mr. Navarro advised reporters within the U.S.

Mr. Navarro’s recent assault on India got here three days after he wrote a bit within the Financial Times slamming the nation for its procurement of Russian crude oil.

He stated the argument that India wants Russian oil to satisfy its power necessities doesn’t make any sense.

“They get low cost Russian oil and make refined merchandise which they promote at premium costs in Europe, Africa and Asia,” he stated, including “it’s purely profiteering by the Indian refining business.”

“What is the online impression on Americans due to our commerce with India? They are Maharaj in tariff. (We have) greater non-tariff boundaries, huge commerce deficit and many others — and that hurts American staff and American companies,” he stated.

“The cash they get from us, they use it to purchase Russian oil, which then is processed by their refiners,” he stated.

“The Russians use the cash to construct arms and kill Ukrainians and American tax-payers have to supply extra support and navy {hardware} to Ukrainians. That’s insane,” he added.

“India doesn’t need to recognise its function within the bloodshed,” he stated, including India is working a “profiteering” scheme.

Though the U.S. imposed an extra 25% tariff on India for its power ties with Russia, it has not initiated related actions towards China, the most important purchaser of Russian crude oil.

Defending its buy of Russian crude oil, India has been sustaining that its power procurement is pushed by nationwide curiosity and market dynamics.

Also learn: India’s buy of Russian crude funding struggle in Ukraine, has to cease: U.S. commerce adviser Navarro

India turned to buying Russian oil bought 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.