Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition chief Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being “frightened of Donald Trump,” following the US President’s claim that India assured him it would stop buying Russian oil.
Taking to social media platform X on Thursday, Gandhi wrote that the prime minister had “allowed” the US president to “decide and announce” India’s oil policy.
“Modi keeps sending congratulatory messages despite repeated snubs,” the Congress MP added in his post.
Trump’s Claim on India’s Russian Oil Purchase
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump told reporters at the Oval Office that Prime Minister Modi had personally assured him that India would no longer buy oil from Russia.
“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 said, adding that he shares a “great relationship” with Modi.
The US President also said he planned to “get China to do the same thing” after securing India’s assurance.
Background: Tariffs and Trade Tensions
India’s import of Russian crude oil has been a key topic of discussion since August, when Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods — raising the total tariffs to 50 percent. The US cited India’s energy trade with Russia as a reason for the higher levies.
In response, Prime Minister Modi said he would not compromise the livelihoods of Indian farmers, even if that meant “paying a heavy price.” He reiterated India’s commitment to the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) initiatives.
“We should become self-reliant — not out of desperation, but out of pride,” Modi said in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.
He further added,
“Economic selfishness is on the rise globally, and we must rise above our difficulties without letting others hold us in their clutches.”
Political Reactions
Rahul Gandhi’s latest post adds to a growing list of opposition attacks on the Modi government’s foreign policy decisions. Congress leaders have previously accused the Centre of compromising India’s strategic independence by aligning too closely with the United States.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has not yet issued an official response to Gandhi’s remarks.
