Expressions such as “waiver” and “allow” in Washington’s 30-day leeway to Indian refiners to buy Russian oil have prompted the Opposition to ask whether India has become a “vassal state”. Chellaney underlined the irony of India now requiring US permission to buy Russian energy even during an emergency triggered by American military action. “The US proclamation to ‘allow’ and grant us ‘permission’ to buy Russian oil, as a ‘waiver for 30-days’ clearly demonstrates Modi Govt is continuously ceding diplomatic space,” Congress president and Rajya Sabha Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X. “(US President Donald) Trump announced the Indo-US Trade Deal Agreement, which is contingent on India not buying Russian oil, Modi ji puts a stamp of approval,” he wrote. We took permission: ‘Should we buy oil from Russia?’“We don’t need your waiver.

Source: The Telegraph March 07, 2026 00:36 UTC