Rahul Gandhi Criticises PM Modi Over Trump's Oil Claim

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being "frightened" of US President Donald Trump. This statement comes after Trump claimed that Modi assured him India would stop purchasing oil from Russia. Gandhi expressed his concerns on social media, stating that Modi has allowed Trump to dictate India's oil policy and continues to send congratulatory messages despite facing repeated snubs from the US.

In a post on X, Gandhi outlined five points to support his argument, including Modi's cancellation of the Finance Minister's visit to the US and his absence from the Sharm el-Sheikh summit. He stated, "PM Modi is frightened of Trump. He has compromised the country’s dignity by bowing to Trump’s demands regarding Russian oil."

Earlier this week, Trump mentioned in a press conference that Modi assured him India would cease its oil imports from Russia. He remarked, "I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big stop." Trump also expressed his intention to persuade China to follow suit.

India's relationship with Russia has been a longstanding one, with Russian oil accounting for a significant portion of India's imports. In September, Russian crude made up 34% of India's total oil imports, although there has been a slight decline in volumes this year. Despite the US imposing tariffs on Indian goods, Modi has maintained that he will not jeopardise the livelihoods of Indian farmers and has emphasized the importance of self-reliance.

The Prime Minister's Office has not yet responded to Gandhi's allegations. The Congress party continues to voice concerns over the government's foreign policy, arguing that it risks compromising India's strategic independence in favour of closer ties with the United States.