Navarro Sparks Controversy With Remarks Targeting India’s Trade Practices and Geopolitical Stance;

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has once again stirred diplomatic waters with a series of controversial remarks targeting India’s trade policies and foreign alliances. Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Navarro defended President Donald Trump’s proposed 50% tariff on Indian imports by accusing New Delhi of enabling global trade imbalances and aligning itself with U.S. adversaries. Navarro, known for his hawkish trade views, accused India's elite of exploiting the country’s economic system for personal gain. “You’ve got Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people. We need that to stop,” he said, in comments that have already drawn criticism for their potentially divisive and culturally insensitive tone. Referring to India as “nothing but a laundromat for the Kremlin,” Navarro alleged that Indian oil companies have become a key conduit for circumventing Western sanctions on Russia. “India’s Big Oil lobby has turned the largest democracy in the world into a massive refining hub and oil money laundromat for the Kremlin,” he claimed. “Indian refiners buy cheap Russian oil, process it, and export fuels to Europe, Africa, and Asia — all under the guise of neutrality.” Navarro’s comments come just a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leaders' summit on August 31. The two leaders reportedly discussed the ongoing thaw in India-China relations and noted "positive momentum" since their last meeting in October 2024 in Kazan during the BRICS Summit. “Look, Modi’s a great leader,” Navarro said, “but I don’t understand why he’s getting into bed with Putin and Xi Jinping when he’s the leader of the biggest democracy in the world. I would simply say to the Indian people — please understand what’s going on here.” Navarro also criticized India’s protectionist trade policies, calling it the “Maharaja of tariffs.” He argued that Indian barriers to U.S. exports hurt American workers and consumers. “India has some of the highest tariffs in the world. They won’t let us sell to them. So who gets hurt? Workers in America, taxpayers in America... Ukrainians in cities are getting killed by Russian drones,” he said, attempting to link India’s energy trade with Russia to broader global consequences. The timing of Navarro’s remarks is especially sensitive. President Trump’s latest round of proposed tariffs on India has come under legal scrutiny, with the U.S. Appeals Court recently declaring parts of the tariff regime “illegal.” This is not the first time Navarro has criticized India’s role in global trade and geopolitics. Just last week, he accused Indian refiners of profiting from discounted Russian oil while bypassing sanctions and undermining the West’s efforts to isolate Moscow. While the White House has not issued an official statement following Navarro’s latest interview, diplomatic observers suggest that his remarks could strain relations between Washington and New Delhi at a time when both countries are navigating complex global challenges — including energy security, China’s growing influence, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. With India walking a tightrope between strategic autonomy and global expectations, the fallout from Navarro’s words may be felt both in diplomatic circles and on the ground.

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