News Brief
'Don’t Like Indian Oil, Don’t Buy It': Jaishankar Hits Back At Trump Trade Adviser’s ‘Kremlin Laundromat’ Jibe
EAM S Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday (23 August) delivered a sharp response to criticism from US President Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro, who had earlier accused India of acting as a “Kremlin laundromat” by refining discounted Russian crude and exporting it at a premium.
Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, Jaishankar dismissed the US charge as ironic.
“It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business,” he said, news agency ANI reported.
On Washington’s objections to India’s energy trade, he added bluntly: “If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it.”
"Prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India virtually bought no Russian oil...It was like almost one per cent of their need. The percentage has now gone up to 35 per cent...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 had said.
His remarks came after the Trump administration announced steep new duties on Indian goods, with tariffs set to climb to 50 percent in two phases, partly citing India’s continued energy ties with Moscow.
