US Adviser Labels India as "Laundromat" for Kremlin
(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, has asserted that India does not require importing Russian oil and accused the country of acting as a “laundromat” for the Kremlin.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Navarro indicated that he anticipates the 25% punitive tariffs on Indian goods to be implemented as scheduled on August 27, due to India’s ongoing oil purchases from Russia.
Navarro’s remarks came shortly after Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed confusion over the rationale behind the US tariffs, stating that New Delhi is “perplexed” by the reasoning.
Navarro highlighted the shift in India’s Russian oil imports, saying, “Prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India virtually bought no Russian oil,” adding that the proportion was “almost 1% of their need” before the conflict.
He noted the figure has since increased dramatically to 35%, claiming, “They don't need the oil. It's a refining profit-sharing scheme. It's a laundromat for the Kremlin. That's the reality of that.”
Navarro, who previously labeled India as a “tariff Maharaja,” argued that India’s acquisition of Russian oil is not contributing to peace in Ukraine.
He accused India of ignoring its part in the ongoing conflict, stating, “India doesn’t appear to want to recognize its role in the bloodshed. It simply doesn’t. It’s cozying up to [Chinese President] Xi Jinping.”
Earlier in August, the US announced plans to impose an extra 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing New Delhi’s continued procurement of Russian crude oil.
These tariffs, set to begin on August 27, are in addition to the existing 25% tariff already imposed after India and the US failed to finalize a trade agreement.
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