Former US Treasury Secretary Slams Navarro’s ‘Oil Money Laundromat’ Comment on India

Rapid Summary

• Former U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Evan A. Feigenbaum criticized Peter Navarro for calling India an “oil money laundromat,” saying such remarks could harm 25 years of bipartisan efforts to build strong U.S.-India relations.
• Navarro accused India of profiting from Russian crude oil purchases, claiming Indian refiners export over 1 million barrels per day in refined products, allegedly contributing to Russia’s war finances while Ukrainians suffer.
• Feigenbaum labeled Navarro’s statements as “deeply ahistorical” and suggested they misrepresent the intricacies of U.S.-India relations.
• India has previously objected to being singled out for tariffs by the U.S.,especially when China remains exempt despite importing higher volumes of Russian crude.
• Feigenbaum implied that repairing strained ties may require changes in administration to redirect the relationship toward productivity.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Navarro’s remarks about India’s role in refining and exporting Russian oil raise concerns about global geopolitics and trade dynamics.While his numbers on India’s import share growth are notable,Feigenbaum underscores the importance of nuanced dialog rather than rhetoric that risks diplomatic setbacks. India’s independent stance on energy security aligns with its sovereignty-driven foreign policy, but being targeted disproportionately compared to larger buyers like China poses a fairness issue.

The implications for India-US ties are significant because bilateral cooperation spans defense, trade, technology, and climate initiatives.Straining this relationship could undermine joint strategic goals at a time when both nations seek alignment as counterweights in evolving global power balances. Feigenbaum’s suggestion that future U.S. leadership might mend these tensions reflects recognition that diplomacy must consider both long-term partnerships and immediate geopolitical sensitivities.

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