New Delhi, February 1: The Indian National Congress on Sunday launched a sharp critique of the government following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about India’s future oil purchases, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration of lacking clarity on energy policy and foreign relations.
Trump, addressing reporters aboard Air Force One, suggested that India may begin buying oil from Venezuela instead of Iran under a new arrangement, and he asserted that the deal had already been “made,” comments that appeared to pre-empt any official Indian announcement.
In response, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to social media to question why the U.S. president was publicly divulging aspects of India’s energy decisions before New Delhi had done so itself. Ramesh said Trump’s statements illustrated that the White House was repeatedly “giving us information on what our own Govt has done or will be doing,” and urged the government to be more forthcoming and assertive on its policies.
The opposition’s criticism reflects broader unease in Congress about trade and diplomatic tensions with the United States, including past disputes over tariffs and energy imports.
