After ‘Maharaja of Tariffs,’ Trump Aide Labels India a ‘Kremlin Laundromat’ Over Oil

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has renewed criticism of India for purchasing oil from Russia, accusing New Delhi of running “a refining profiteering scheme” that he described as a “laundromat for the Kremlin.”

Navarro’s remarks come just days after he branded India the “Maharaja of tariffs” while backing President Donald Trump’s move to double duties on Indian imports to 50%. He argued India’s reliance on Russian crude surged from near zero before Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine to about 30–35% today, dismissing claims that the oil is essential to India’s energy needs.

While stressing he “loves India” and calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “great leader,” Navarro said India’s trade with Russia was fueling the war in Ukraine, forcing U.S. taxpayers to foot the bill for additional military aid to Kyiv. “The road to peace runs through New Delhi,” he said.

His comments come amid escalating trade tensions, with Trump’s second round of tariffs on Indian goods set to take effect August 27. India has pushed back, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar calling the U.S. tariff moves “perplexing” and pointing out that China and the EU are far larger buyers of Russian energy.