Congress reacts to PM's X post after Donald Trump's Russian oil claim: ‘But Mr. Modi…’
Jairam Ramesh pointed out that Trump has repeated this assertion multiple times, suggesting Modi's lack of transparency in foreign policy discussions.
The Congress on Wednesday took potshots at the Centre after US President Donald Trump yet again claimed that India is “not going to buy much oil from Russia”. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said this is the fourth time in six days that the American leader has announced India's policy.
The Congress also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying what he conceals, “Trump reveals”.
The opposition party's reaction comes after Trump spoke with Modi and greeted him on Diwali.
Earlier on Tuesday, Donald Trump said Narendra Modi assured him during a phone call that India would wind down purchases of Russian oil, a possible reprieve to their trade impasse.
Trump said at the White House during a Diwali celebration that the two leaders had “talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade — he’s very interested in that". Modi acknowledged the call in a social media post on Wednesday, without mentioning the content of the discussion.
In a post on X, Modi said, "Thank you, President Trump, for your phone call and warm Diwali greetings.".
"On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms," the prime minister said.
{{/usCountry}}"On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms," the prime minister said.
{{/usCountry}}Trump hit India with 50 per cent tariffs on its exports to the US in part to pressure New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil and to counter what the US has cast as high levies and other barriers on American goods.
{{/usCountry}}Trump hit India with 50 per cent tariffs on its exports to the US in part to pressure New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil and to counter what the US has cast as high levies and other barriers on American goods.
{{/usCountry}}Taking on social media, Jairam Ramesh said, "The PM has finally acknowledged publicly that President Trump called him up and that the two spoke to each other. But all that the PM has said is that the US President extended Diwali greetings. But while Mr. Modi conceals, Mr. Trump reveals."
{{/usCountry}}Taking on social media, Jairam Ramesh said, "The PM has finally acknowledged publicly that President Trump called him up and that the two spoke to each other. But all that the PM has said is that the US President extended Diwali greetings. But while Mr. Modi conceals, Mr. Trump reveals."
{{/usCountry}}"On his part, the US President has said that in addition to extending Diwali greetings, he spoke of India's oil imports from Russia and that he had been assured that these imports will be stopped. This is the 4th time in 6 days that the US President has announced India's policy," Ramesh said on X.
Earlier, President Trump had first announced the stoppage of Operation Sindoor on the evening of May 10 before Modi did, the senior Congress leader said.
Taking a swipe at the government, the Congress on Tuesday had said the matter of India's imports of oil from Russia has been raised by Trump thrice in the past five days, and he has “brushed aside” the MEA's attempts at denial of any conversation in which Modi promised stopping Russian oil imports.
The Congress's assertion had come after Trump said India is going to pay massive tariffs if it continues to buy oil from Russia, while reiterating that he got assurance from the PM that New Delhi is going to halt its oil purchases from Moscow.
The Congress has also said Modi suddenly becomes a “mauni baba” whenever Trump states that he stopped Operation Sindoor or that India will reduce its oil imports from Russia.
India on Thursday said it is “broad-basing and diversifying” its sourcing of energy to meet market conditions.
Ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to questions on Trump's remarks that Modi made the assurance to him on Wednesday, had said he was not aware of any such phone conversation, adding India's oil purchases are guided to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumers in a "volatile" energy scenario.
The Congress has alleged that Modi is “frightened” of Trump and appears to have outsourced key decisions to the US.
The party has also alleged that the foreign policy of the Modi government has “completely collapsed” and said the Centre must take opposition leaders into confidence by either calling an all-party meeting or speaking to them one-on-one.
Washington has been maintaining that India is helping Putin finance the Ukraine war through its purchase of Russian crude oil.
