New Delhi, Oct 21 (UNI) The Congress today slammed the government over US President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that India has promised to halt its oil imports from Russia.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh challenged the Centre’s position, pointing out the conflicting narratives between Trump’s claims and the Ministry of External Affairs’ official denial.
“President Trump says he has spoken to his good friend Mr. Modi and that India has promised to stop these imports. The MEA, however, claims it is unaware of any such conversations(!)but Trump has clearly dismissed the MEA’s denials,” Ramesh tweeted.
Highlighting the frequency of Trump’s remarks, Ramesh noted, “President Trump has raised the issue of India’s oil imports from Russia three times in the past five days. Undoubtedly, this count will rise as he prepares to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest later this week.”
Responding to the controversy, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s stance, emphasizing that the country’s energy sourcing decisions are driven by national interests and the need to safeguard consumers. “We have already clarified our position, and I urge everyone to review the statement carefully. Our approach remains consistent and transparent,” Jaiswal had said.
The Opposition is demanding greater transparency and a clear official explanation from the government on how it intends to balance India’s strategic relations with both the US and Russia.
Ramesh’s comments reflect mounting scrutiny over India’s foreign policy, particularly its energy ties with Russia, which continue to be a flashpoint in international diplomacy.
