• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

US President Donald Peter Navarro, Peter Navarro, has launched a sharp attack on India’s continued engagement with Russia, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit a “shame.” While talking to reporters, Navarro said that PM Modi needs to step up and be with Europe and Ukraine, and stop "buying oil from Russia."

Speaking to Fox News in Washington on Tuesday, Navarro said, "Look, Modi's a great leader. I don't understand why he's getting into bed with Putin and Xi Jinping when he's the biggest democracy in the world. So I would just simply say to the Indian people: please, understand what's going on here. You've got Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people. We need that to stop. Yeah, and we'll be watching that closely." The remarks came a day after PM Modi held talks with Putin and Xi in Tianjin during the SCO summit. The meeting drew criticism from Trump aides who argue that New Delhi’s trade with Moscow is helping fund the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine.

Navarro's Multiple Jabs At India

Navarro, known for his hardline views on global trade, repeatedly branded India as “Maharaja of tariffs.” He alleged that India maintains among the highest tariff barriers in the world while simultaneously continuing discounted oil purchases from Russia. “There’s a two-prong problem with India. Twenty-five per cent is reciprocal – because of unfair trade – and the other 25 per cent is because India is buying oil from Russia. They are in denial about that,” he claimed earlier. Escalating his criticism, Navarro accused New Delhi of acting as a “laundromat for the Kremlin.” He alleged that Indian refiners were buying Russian crude at discounted prices, processing it, and exporting it at a premium to Europe, Africa and Asia.

In a controversial remark, Navarro also brought India’s caste system into the debate, alleging that “Brahmins are profiteering at the expense of ordinary Indians” through Russian oil deals. His comments have drawn widespread backlash, with observers noting that US officials rarely invoke domestic Indian social structures in international policy disputes. Despite his sharp words, Navarro added a note of personal regard: “Look, Modi’s a great leader. I love the Indian people. But we need him to stop buying the oil, stop helping Putin, and stand with us in Europe and Ukraine.”

ALSO READ: 'Brahmins Profiteering At Cost Of…': Trump Trade Advisor Navarro Makes Casteist Remarks Over India-Russia Oil Trade

India Defends Oil Purchases

India has consistently defended its decision to purchase Russian oil, arguing that the imports are vital to keep domestic energy prices in check and ensure economic stability. Officials in New Delhi have termed the Trump administration’s tariffs as “unjustified and unreasonable.” “Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the government said in response to Washington’s measures.

ALSO READ: ‘Totally One-Sided Disaster’: Trump's Bold Claim After PM Modi’s SCO Meeting With Xi, Putin

Trump has imposed an additional 50 per cent tariff burden on India, 25 per cent as a reciprocal trade measure and 25 per cent linked to oil imports from Russia. India is the only major economy facing these so-called “secondary tariffs,” despite China also being a significant buyer of Russian crude. The controversy deepened after the US Court of Appeals recently ruled that most of Trump’s sweeping global tariffs were unlawful. Following the verdict, Democrats in the House Foreign Affairs Committee urged Speaker Mike Johnson to terminate Trump’s “national emergency” declaration, which has been used to justify the tariff hikes.