India foreign ministry: seen Navarro’s false and misleading comments, we reject them

India foreign ministry: seen Navarro’s false and misleading comments, we reject them

The Indian Foreign Ministry has issued a strong rebuke to White House trade adviser Peter Navarro's recent comments, which were deemed false and misleading. Navarro's remarks, made during a Fox News interview, suggested that "Brahmins" were "profiteering" off India's oil trade with Russia, and that India was financing the Ukraine war.

The Foreign Ministry stated that Navarro's comments were "unfounded" and "based on a misrepresentation of facts." They emphasized that India's oil purchases from Russia are legitimate and within international norms, including the G7/EU price cap mechanism designed to prevent "war profiteering" while ensuring global supplies continued to flow.

Navarro's comments have sparked a debate in India, with political leaders and experts weighing in on his remarks. While some have suggested that Navarro was referring to a general elite class in India, others have condemned his comments as racist and casteist.

The Hindu American Foundation, a non-profit advocacy organization, has also reacted to Navarro's remarks, stating that they are "at best, a reflection of his utter ignorance" and "at worst, plainly racist." The Foundation has been at the forefront of resisting efforts to recognize caste as a protected class in the U.S.

The Indian government has called for a fact-based discussion on the issue, emphasizing that India's role in the global oil market is crucial for maintaining stability and preventing price spikes. They have also expressed concern over the rise in hate speech against Indians online, which they attribute to the recycling of caste tropes by far-right figures.

The Indian Foreign Ministry's response comes amid ongoing trade negotiations between India and the U.S. The 50% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Indian imports have been a contentious issue, with India arguing that the tariffs are unfair and based on a misrepresentation of facts.

References:

[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navarros-brahmin-remarks-reflect-utter-ignorance-suhag-a-shukla/article70008303.ece
[2] https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2025/Aug/30/navarros-tweets-how-india-rebuts-with-facts-and-figures