Peter Navarro Targets India with Casteist and Trade Attacks
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has reignited controversy by claiming that India is acting as a “laundromat for the Kremlin” through its purchases of discounted Russian oil. Navarro alleged that members of India’s Brahmin community are “profiteering at the expense of the Indian people,” remarks he used to justify the Trump administration’s new 50% tariffs on Indian goods.
Tariffs as Strategic Pressure
Navarro defended the steep tariff hikes as a strategic step against India’s oil imports from Russia. He argued that such trade indirectly funds Moscow’s war efforts while creating an unfair burden on Western taxpayers. According to him, tariffs are necessary to rebalance trade and push India toward aligning with U.S. policy positions.
Backlash and Ethical Concerns
The remarks sparked sharp criticism, with many describing Navarro’s statements as casteist and divisive. Indian officials and observers pushed back, saying that targeting a specific social group distorts a larger issue of energy security and global pricing. Analysts warned that such rhetoric risks inflaming domestic sensitivities while misrepresenting India’s broader strategic approach to its oil trade.
