The Congress on Friday (March 6, 2026) took a swipe at the Modi government after the U.S. announced a temporary waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil, and asked till when will this "American blackmail" continue.
India’s oil imports from Russia fell to 44-month low in January 2026, Gulf countries saw rising share
In a post in rhyming in Hindi on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Trump ka naya khel, Dilli dost ko kaha, Putin se le sakte ho tel, kab tak chalega ye Ameriki blackmail (Trump's new game; told his friend in Delhi you can get oil from Putin; how long will this American blackmail continue?)
Amid the escalating conflict with Iran, the U.S. said it is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver on Russian oil purchases.
"President Trump's energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded. To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday (March 5, 2026).
