Navarro argued that India’s refining sector has turned into a “laundromat for the Kremlin,” importing cheap Russian oil and selling refined fuels at premium rates to Europe, Africa, and Asia. “They don’t need the oil. This is profiteering, not energy security,” he said, adding that proceeds from such trade indirectly help Moscow finance its war in Ukraine.

India, however, has pushed back strongly. During his recent visit to Moscow, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said Washington’s criticism is “perplexing,” pointing out that the US itself encouraged India to stabilise global energy markets by sourcing Russian crude. He reiterated New Delhi’s policy of securing affordable energy supplies for its citizens while maintaining long-standing ties with Russia.

India’s reliance on Russian oil has surged since 2022, when Western sanctions cut Moscow off from many markets. Russia’s share of India’s imports has grown from less than 2 per cent in 2019-20 to more than 35 per cent in 2024-25, making it New Delhi’s top supplier.

The Trump administration’s tariffs come as US-India ties strain further. Despite targeting India, Washington has not imposed similar penalties on China, the largest buyer of Russian crude. Meanwhile, Beijing has signalled solidarity with New Delhi, with Chinese diplomats backing India’s stance on fair trade practices.

With tariffs set to escalate, the confrontation threatens to reshape India-US economic relations while pushing New Delhi closer to Moscow and potentially Beijing.

Navarro argued that India’s refining sector has turned into a “laundromat for the Kremlin,” importing cheap Russian oil and selling refined fuels at premium rates to Europe, Africa, and Asia. “They don’t need the oil. This is profiteering, not energy security,” he said, adding that proceeds from such trade indirectly help Moscow finance its war in Ukraine.

India, however, has pushed back strongly. During his recent visit to Moscow, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said Washington’s criticism is “perplexing,” pointing out that the US itself encouraged India to stabilise global energy markets by sourcing Russian crude. He reiterated New Delhi’s policy of securing affordable energy supplies for its citizens while maintaining long-standing ties with Russia.

India’s reliance on Russian oil has surged since 2022, when Western sanctions cut Moscow off from many markets. Russia’s share of India’s imports has grown from less than 2 per cent in 2019-20 to more than 35 per cent in 2024-25, making it New Delhi’s top supplier.

The Trump administration’s tariffs come as US-India ties strain further. Despite targeting India, Washington has not imposed similar penalties on China, the largest buyer of Russian crude. Meanwhile, Beijing has signalled solidarity with New Delhi, with Chinese diplomats backing India’s stance on fair trade practices.

With tariffs set to escalate, the confrontation threatens to reshape India-US economic relations while pushing New Delhi closer to Moscow and potentially Beijing.