Is India's Sovereignty at Stake? Opposition Reacts to US Oil Waiver for Indian Refiners

The recent US waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil has sparked significant backlash from opposition parties in India. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have accused the government of compromising India's diplomatic space and sovereignty. They argue that the current foreign policy reflects the influence of external pressures rather than the nation's core values. As tensions rise in West Asia, questions about India's energy security and autonomy are at the forefront of political discourse. This article delves into the reactions from various political leaders and the implications of the US's decision on India's foreign policy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 6, 2026, 21:09 IST

Opposition Voices Concerns Over US Oil Waiver

New Delhi: On Friday, opposition parties criticized the government for conceding diplomatic authority following the US's announcement of a temporary waiver permitting Indian refiners to acquire Russian oil. The ruling BJP celebrated this as a triumph of 'strategic oil diplomacy' under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, claimed that India's foreign policy is influenced by the 'exploitation of a compromised individual', indirectly targeting Prime Minister Modi.

The Congress party, along with its president Mallikarjun Kharge, echoed these sentiments in various social media posts, condemning the government for 'continuously ceding diplomatic space'.

Gandhi emphasized that India's foreign policy should reflect the collective will of its citizens, rooted in the nation's history, geography, and spiritual values of truth and non-violence.

He remarked, 'What we are witnessing today is not policy. It is the result of the exploitation of a compromised individual.'

Gandhi referenced his speech from February 11 in the Lok Sabha, where he expressed concerns about India's energy security being at risk.

In response to the opposition's allegations, the government asserted that India has never relied on any nation's approval to purchase Russian oil. They clarified that the US waiver alleviated some friction but did not dictate India's policy, which is based on the principles of affordability, availability, and sustainability.

A senior government official reassured citizens that the country's fuel supply remains secure and that the government is vigilantly monitoring the situation, ready to act in the best interest of the populace.

The BJP accused Gandhi and the Congress of inciting panic by disseminating 'fake news' regarding potential oil shortages.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari stated, 'Rahul Gandhi and Congress dislike seeing India exercise strategic restraint and clarity under Prime Minister Modi.' He added, 'Once again, India's strategic oil diplomacy under PM Modi proves successful!'

As tensions in West Asia escalated, the US announced a temporary 30-day waiver for Indian refiners to buy Russian oil. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described this as a 'deliberately short-term measure' that would not significantly benefit the Russian government, as it only permitted transactions for oil already stranded at sea.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the notion that India requires US approval for its import decisions, labeling it 'outrageous'.

Vijayan asserted that India's sovereignty should not be contingent on foreign 'clearance'.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin raised a critical question regarding the necessity for India to seek approval from another country to meet its energy needs, emphasizing the importance of protecting India's dignity and sovereignty on the global stage.

Kharge further claimed that India's strategic autonomy and national sovereignty are under threat due to Modi's alleged blackmail regarding the Epstein Files and the Adani Case.

He stated, 'The US's proclamation to 'allow' us to buy Russian oil for 30 days clearly shows that the Modi Government is continuously ceding diplomatic space.'

In a Hindi post, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh remarked, 'Trump's new game; told his friend in Delhi you can get oil from Putin; how long will this American blackmail continue?'

Pawan Khera, head of the Congress's media and publicity department, noted that Gandhi's predictions about the US dictating oil purchases have come true, questioning whether the US would grant India a license for oil imports.

Last month, the US and India announced a framework for an interim trade agreement, with Trump lifting the 25% tariffs on New Delhi, acknowledging India's commitment to reduce oil imports from Moscow and increase purchases of American energy products.

Leftist leaders criticized the government's response to the US waiver, labeling it a 'humiliation' for a sovereign nation. CPI MP P Santhosh Kumar wrote to Prime Minister Modi, expressing concerns that India's foreign policy seems to have strayed from its foundational principles of non-alignment.

He noted that with the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran, many in India are worried that the country's foreign policy has deviated from its core principles of non-alignment, strategic autonomy, and respect for sovereignty.

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas questioned the US's decision to grant India a 30-day waiver for purchasing stranded Russian oil amid chaos in the Middle East, asking whether this is 'facilitation' or a 'humiliation' for a sovereign nation like India.