Congress slams PM Modi of being 'blackmailed' by US on Russian oil waiver

With the US announcing a temporary waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil the Congress alleged on Friday that Indias strategic autonomy and national sovereignty are under dire threat because Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being blackmailed by AmericaCongress leader Rahul Gandhi said Indias current foreign policy is the result of the exploitation of a compromised individual His attack on Modi came after the US announced the temporary waiver for the purchase of Russian oilAmid an escalating conflict with Iran the United States said it is issuing a temporary 30day waiver on Russian oil purchasesPresident Donald Trumps energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on ThursdayIn a post on X Gandhi said Indias foreign policy emerges from the collective will of our people It should be rooted in our history our geography and our spiritual ethos based on Satya and AhimsaWhat we are witnessing today is not policy It is the result of the exploitation of a compromised individual the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha saidHe also shared his February 11 speech in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the budget where he spoke about Indias energy security being compromised The US will tell us who we can or cannot buy oil from if it is Russia or Iran the US will decide But our prime minister will not decide Gandhi had saidThe Congress also shared Gandhis speech on XThe proof is here to be seen and the silence of the compromised Prime Minister is shameful the party saidCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that Indias strategic autonomy and national sovereignty are under dire threat because PM Modi is getting blackmailed on Epstein Files and Adani CaseThe US proclamation to allow and grant us permission to buy Russian oil as a waiver for 30days clearly demonstrates Modi government is continuously ceding diplomatic spaceThis is the kind of language which is used for sanctioned states and not India who has been a responsible and an equal partner in global order he said in a lengthy post on XNow the US grants India a temporary 30day waiver and allows Indian refineries to buy Russian oil From trade to oil from data to Indias longterm relationships with friendly countries Modi ji SURRENDERED it all Kharge allegedIndia he said has a proud record of chartering its own destiny and one that has remained unblemished until nowFrom Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi to even Atal Bihari Vajpayee No Prime Minister has buckled under pressure of any country and made India a virtual vassal state except Modi ji he saidMain Desh Nahi Jhukne Doonga was a mere slogancry to win elections 140 crore Indians stand betrayed Modi ji SURRENDERED it all Kharge allegedIn a post in rhyming in Hindi on X Congress general secretary incharge communications Jairam Ramesh said Trump ka naya khel Dilli dost ko kaha Putin se le sakte ho tel kab tak chalega ye Ameriki blackmail Trumps new game told his friend in Delhi you can get oil from Russian President Vladimir Putin how long will this American blackmail continueAddressing a press conference here Congresss media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said Gandhis words have yet again proved to be prophetic that the US would decide from whom we should be purchasing oilReferring to the announcement of the onemonth waiver granted by the US allowing India to import Russian oil Khera asked Will the US grant us a licence for importing oilHe pointed out that the IndoUS trade deal is yet to be signed and still restrictions are being imposed on New DelhiKhera said after the US Supreme Court had set aside the Trump tariffs Gandhi had asked Modi to keep the deal on hold but he did notPrime Minister Modi does not have the courage to back out of the trade deal the Congress leader saidHe said people still remember the days when Indira Gandhi was the prime minister and now with a compromised prime minister the countrys stature has come downThe prime minister has completely capitulated before the Americans today What are you scared of Maybe the Epstein files make you do whatever America wants you to do Khera saidThe people of India cannot expect justice from a compromised cabinet with a compromised prime minister who are compromising the countrys interests he allegedTrump had imposed 25per cent punitive tariffs on India for buying Russian oil with the US administration asserting that Delhis purchases were helping fuel Russias war against UkraineLast month the US and India announced that they have prepared a framework for an interim agreement on trade and Trump issued an executive order removing the 25per cent tariffs on New Delhi taking note of the latters commitment to stop importing energy from Moscow and increase purchasing American energy 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