‘Blatant insult’: Congress slams PM Modi after US official makes ‘allow India’ remarks on Russian oil

New Delhi: Congress on Wednesday came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his silence after remarks by US officials reiterate The United States “allowed” India to temporarily buy Russian oil. In a post on Congress asked: “Why did the Indian government not stand against this blatant insult to our sovereignty and dignity? Instead of defending India’s honor, Prime Minister Modi chose to remain silent.” The party demanded a reply from the BJP-led government, claiming that Prime Minister Modi’s silence amounted to a silent admission. “So the country must ask: What is he afraid of? Why are India’s decisions decided from outside? Why is Narendra Modi being blackmailed by the US? The people of India deserve answers. Because India’s sovereignty is non-negotiable,” the Congress party added.ALSO READ | India once resisted pressure to buy Russian oil. So why is a U.S. “exemption” needed now?Levitt told a media briefing on Tuesday that Washington “allowed” New Delhi to temporarily buy Russian oil to address disruptions to global energy supplies amid the conflict in West Asia. She stressed that India had been a “good actor” in previously halting purchases of sanctioned Russian oil and that the measure would not bring significant economic benefits to Russia. “I have spoken with the president and the Treasury secretary, and the national security team made this decision because allies like India have been doing well. We are temporarily allowing India to receive Russian oil while we work to address the temporary global oil supply gap caused by Iran,” Levitt told reporters.ALSO READ | ‘Mind your own business’: Kamal Haasan sends sharp message to Trump on India’s oil policy Her comments come as tensions rise in the Middle East after a joint U.S.-Israeli attack killed Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28. Iran retaliated by targeting Israeli and U.S. assets in several Gulf states. The attack also killed several senior Iranian officials. On March 5, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a 30-day exemption for New Delhi to purchase Russian crude oil. Last year, US President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India, including a 25% tariff on Russian oil imports. Washington claims New Delhi’s purchases are “funding Putin’s war machine in Ukraine.” In February this year, India and the United States announced the postponement of the signing of a bilateral trade agreement, under which the United States’ tariffs on India were reduced to 18%. Later that month, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated Trump’s tariffs in a majority ruling, prompting the two countries to delay further trade talks.