Brahmins Profiteering At Expense Of Indian People: Trump's Aide Peter Navarro

Peter Navarro criticises India's oil trade with Russia, asserting it supports the Ukraine conflict. He questions Prime Minister Modi's relationships with global leaders and highlights trade imbalances affecting American workers.

Peter Navarro, the White House Trade Advisor, has once again criticised India, accusing New Delhi of using Russian oil profits to support the conflict in Ukraine. He also condemned India's elite for allegedly benefiting financially at the cost of ordinary Indians, Hindustan Times reported.

Speaking to Fox News, Navarro defended the Trump administration's decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian exports.

"India is nothing but a laundromat for the Kremlin," Navarro stated. He claimed that the Indian refiners purchase the crude oil at a discounted rate and sell it at higher rates.

"You got Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people. We need that to stop."

Before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, India barely purchased Russian oil. However, Navarro noted a shift post-invasion. "What happened? Well, the Russian refiners went in and got into bed with big oil India," he explained. According to him, Putin offered Modi discounted crude oil which was then refined and sold at a premium globally.

Global Implications of India's Actions

The timing of Navarro's comments coincided with Modi's visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. There he met both Putin and Xi Jinping for the first time in seven years. This visit came amid increasing U.S. rhetoric and protectionist measures under Trump's leadership.

Despite acknowledging Modi as a "great leader," Navarro questioned India's international alliances. "I don't understand why he is getting into bed with Putin and Xi Jinping when he's the biggest democracy in the world," he remarked.

Trade Tensions Between India and the U.S.

Navarro also criticised India's trade policies, labelling it as "the Maharaja of tariffs." He pointed out that while India exports numerous goods to the U.S., it restricts American imports into its market. This imbalance, according to him, harms both American workers and Ukrainian civilians.

Days ago, Navarro, while speaking to Bloomberg, held India responsible for the US and Europe funding Ukraine against Russia's aggression.

"Ukraine comes to us and Europe and says give us more money (for its war). Everybody in America loses because of what India is doing. Consumers and businesses lose, workers lose because India's high tariffs cause jobs, income and higher wages. The taxpayer lose because we got to fund Modi's war." ANI quoted Navarro as telling Bloomberg. He added, "The road to peace runs atleast partly through New Delhi."

He called India "arrogant" for prioritising its energy needs while advising it to "side with democracies."

"The Indians are so arrogant about this. They say we don't have higher tariffs. It's our sovereignty. We can buy oil from anyone we want. India, you're the biggest democracy in the world. Okay? Act like one. Side with the democracies," Navarro stated.