'Brahmins reaping profits by exploiting Indian people, this must end'; Trump's trade advisor levels criticism against India

WASHINGTON: White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has raised fresh criticism against India, this time over its purchase of oil from Russia. Navarro, who also serves as Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing, accused Brahmins of profiting at the expense of the Indian people and called for it to stop.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great leader. However, I don't understand how the leader of the world's largest democracy can cooperate with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Let me put it simply- The Indian people need to understand what's happening. Brahmins are reaping profits by exploiting the Indian people. We need that to stop," Navarro said in an interview given to Fox News.

Relations between India and the US had already soured after Washington imposed steep tariffs on India. Since then, Navarro has been repeatedly making controversial statements against India.

“Currently, India faces a 50% tariff. But China’s is even higher. What’s happening is that Russian refineries have struck deals with big Indian oil companies. Putin gives Modi discounts on crude oil. India refines it and then exports it to Europe, Africa, and Asia at a high premium, making huge profits,” Navarro alleged.

Earlier, Navarro sparked controversy by calling the Ukraine war “Modi’s war” and claiming that “the road to peace runs through India.”