The United States announced a temporary 30-day waiver, permitting Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil. This decision has sparked political criticism from the Congress party against the Narendra Modi government.
Congressional Criticism
Rahul Gandhi's Concerns
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stated that this development indicated India's foreign policy decisions were increasingly influenced by external pressures rather than national interest.
"India's foreign policy should reflect the collective will of its people and be rooted in the country's history, geography, and values."
He posted on X, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi:
"What we are witnessing today is not policy. It is the result of the exploitation of a compromised individual."
Gandhi also shared a video of a speech from February 11 in the Lok Sabha, where he had expressed concerns about India’s energy security and warned about global powers potentially influencing the country’s oil purchases. During that debate, Gandhi had stated:
"The US will tell us who we can or cannot buy oil from. If it’s Russia or Iran, the US will decide. But our Prime Minister will not decide."
Kharge Alleges Loss of Diplomatic Space
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed the criticism, alleging India was losing diplomatic space internationally.
Kharge stated that the language used in the US announcement demonstrated that the Modi government was ceding diplomatic space. He highlighted the terms "allowing" and granting "permission" for India to buy Russian oil with a "temporary 30-day waiver."
He noted that such wording is typically used for sanctioned states, not for countries like India with historically independent diplomatic roles.
Khera Questions US Authority
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera questioned the authority of the United States in determining India’s energy imports during a press conference in New Delhi.
Khera inquired if India now required Washington's permission for oil imports, highlighting that a trade agreement between India and the US had not been finalized, yet restrictions were being discussed.
He also referenced remarks by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the Raisina Dialogue, where Landau stated the US would prioritize its own people's interests in trade negotiations. Khera noted that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar did not respond to these remarks.
US Statement on Waiver
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the waiver was a "deliberately short-term measure" intended to facilitate transactions for oil shipments already at sea.
He added that the 30-day relaxation would not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government as it only covered cargoes already in transit.