New Delhi: A political row erupted after US President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would temporarily stop purchasing Russian oil. The Congress accused the Prime Minister of allowing Trump to dictate India’s foreign policy and demanded that the government clarify its position, as no official confirmation has been issued by New Delhi.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the Prime Minister, alleging that Modi had surrendered India’s strategic autonomy. He said the Prime Minister was “frightened of Trump” and listed several instances that he claimed showed Modi’s deference to the US President. Gandhi criticised Modi for not refuting Trump’s statements, skipping the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, and repeatedly sending congratulatory messages to the White House despite what he called “repeated snubs.”
“PM Modi allows Trump to decide and announce that India will not buy Russian oil, cancels ministerial visits to America, skips key international summits, and remains silent on Operation Sindoor,” Gandhi said, accusing the government of compromising India’s independent foreign policy stance.
President Trump’s comments, made during a White House briefing, suggested that India’s decision to halt Russian oil imports would help cut off funding for Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine. “He assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step,” Trump told reporters.
India has not confirmed any such assurance and has maintained that its energy purchases are guided by national interest and the need to secure affordable supplies.
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also questioned the government’s silence, urging officials to counter what she described as Trump’s “false claims.” She said the US leader had previously made exaggerated statements about mediating the India-Pakistan ceasefire and other security issues. “These delusions must be challenged. Silence at this stage is betrayal,” Chaturvedi said.
The Indian government has previously denied Trump’s assertions of brokering peace during the May border conflict, clarifying that the ceasefire followed an internal decision by Pakistan’s commanders after heavy losses.
