Here’s a summary of how the Indian National Congress has reacted to the recent exchange between Narendra Modi and Donald Trump about India’s oil imports from Russia.
📰 What happened
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On 15 October 2025, Trump publicly claimed that Modi assured him India would “stop buying oil from Russia”. (Politico)
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On Diwali, Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter) thanking Trump for his warm wishes. The post only mentioned the greetings — it did not reaffirm or clarify the oil-talk. (Hindustan Times)
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The Indian government via the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said no such direction has been taken to halt Russian oil purchases, emphasising India’s import strategy is guided by its energy security and consumer interest. (AP News)
🗣 Congress’s response
The Congress party has strongly criticised the government. Key points:
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Jairam Ramesh (Congress general secretary) pointed out that Trump’s claim is the fourth time in six days he has announced India’s policy shift on Russian oil — yet Modi has remained publicly silent on this substance. (Hindustan Times)
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Ramesh said: “While Mr Modi conceals, Mr Trump reveals.” He accused the PM of acknowledging only greetings, while failing to address the substantive policy statement made by Trump. (Deccan Herald)
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Congress argues that the government is being non-transparent about its foreign policy and energy decisions — especially given the serious diplomatic and strategic implications of the purported commitment. (IntelliNews)
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The party also charged that Modi appears “frightened” of Trump, and that key decisions (like those on India’s energy imports) are effectively being outsourced to the U.S. rather than being India’s independent policy. (Hindustan Times)
🔍 Why this matters
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Oil imports from Russia have become a major site of tension between India and the U.S., especially because of the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Moscow. (Politico)
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India’s energy security is a critical national interest — how, when, and why India buys oil matters economically, politically and geopolitical-wise.
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Diplomatic credibility: If a foreign leader claims India committed to a major shift (stopping Russian oil), but India’s government doesn’t publicly confirm or explain it, it can raise questions about policy clarity and international standing.
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Domestic politics: Opposition parties view such moves as opportunities to question the government’s transparency, autonomy and strategic management.
🚨 Key questions & potential implications
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Did India actually make the commitment? Trump says yes, the MEA says no such directive. This gap needs clarification.
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What are the commercial/strategic ramifications? If India were to drastically reduce Russian oil imports, it would impact supply chains, pricing, and India’s negotiating power.
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What about India-US relations? The disagreement suggests underlying stress in the relationship — particularly around trade (tariffs) and energy.
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How will this be managed politically? Modi’s silence – as the Congress says – could backfire politically if it’s perceived as lack of clarity or yielding to external pressure.
If you like, I can check modelling and expert commentary on what the alleged oil-import shift would mean for India’s economy and its energy import bill — and how credible the commitment is.
