The Congress party has characterized U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to levy 100% tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil as an unjustified measure, cautioning that the policy poses significant risks to India’s trade, economy, and energy security.
Congress Working Committee member and former Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, alongside Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, issued separate statements on Sunday (targeting of strategic partner countries, including India, is unjustified, unacceptable, and condemnable.
‘Abject capitulation’
Mr. Surjewala asserted that India is a sovereign republic possessing the right to procure energy from any nation that aligns with its national interests and offers prices its citizens can afford. “Our friendship with Washington does not make our national interest subservient to the demands of the White House under the watch of a weak-kneed BJP government. Securing affordable energy for 140 crore people is our sovereign duty,” he said, describing the current situation as an “abject capitulation” by the Narendra Modi-led administration at the expense of the Indian economy.
“After 12 years of ‘Vishwaguru’ rhetoric, the Modi government has failed to build the counter-leverage needed to protect India from external economic pressure, nor does it show the courage to stand on equal ground and stand for our people and the nation,” Mr. Surjewala said. He further noted that while private refiners have profited billions from discounted Russian crude, the government has left an $86.5 billion export economy vulnerable to coercion from Washington.
Originally reported by www.thehindu.com. This article has been independently rewritten for republication.
