Rahul Gandhi Critiques India's Foreign Policy Amid U.S. Oil Purchase Exemption
In a recent statement, Rahul Gandhi condemned India's foreign policy as exploitative, particularly in light of the U.S. granting a waiver for Russian oil purchases. He emphasized that India's approach should reflect its historical values and collective will. Alongside, Congress MP Manish Tewari questioned whether India needs U.S. permission for energy decisions, criticizing the silence from the Indian government on this matter. This discourse raises significant questions about India's sovereignty and energy independence amidst global geopolitical tensions.
| Mar 6, 2026, 13:13 IST
Opposition Leader's Strong Remarks
On Friday, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticized India's foreign policy, labeling it as "exploitation by a corrupt individual." This statement emerged following the U.S. granting India a waiver to purchase Russian oil amidst disruptions in maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Basent announced this 30-day measure on Thursday (local time) to counter Iran during ongoing conflicts in West Asia, significantly impacting oil supply from Gulf nations.
Call for a Value-Based Foreign Policy
While addressing the issue of sovereignty, Rahul Gandhi remarked that India's foreign policy should be rooted in the nation's history and values. He emphasized that the foreign policy of New Delhi should stem from the collective will of the Indian people, grounded in the country's history, geography, and spiritual values of truth and non-violence. He stated, "What we are witnessing today is not policy; it is the result of exploitation by a corrupt individual."
Concerns Over Energy Independence
This morning, Congress MP Manish Tewari also raised concerns about whether India needs permission from the U.S. to make decisions regarding its energy sources. Criticizing American neo-imperialist arrogance, he stated, "Issuing a 30-day waiver is hollow language filled with neo-imperialist arrogance. Are we a nation that requires U.S. approval for our energy security?"
Silence from New Delhi
Questioning New Delhi's silence regarding the U.S. statement, Tewari expressed that the silence from such a verbose government is shocking. Does it not understand the meaning of sovereignty? This comment from Congress followed the announcement by the U.S. Treasury Secretary, who stated that the department had issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil, ensuring oil supply in the global market. Washington indicated that it expects an "increase" in U.S. oil purchases from New Delhi after this short-term exemption.