In Shorts
- Congress leader Kharge lashes out at PM Modi, citing an audio clip of Donald Trump about India’s oil policy.
- Kharge accuses Modi of yielding to U.S. pressure over cuts in Russian oil purchases.
- The exchange adds fresh fuel to the political debate on India’s foreign policy direction.
New Delhi believes it is time to challenge the government’s handling of foreign pressure after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over comments attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump. At a press briefing, Kharge referred to an audio clip he claimed to have heard, in which Trump reportedly spoke about Modi’s approach to India’s import of Russian crude oil, a contentious issue amid global tensions and tariff threats.
Kharge’s criticism focused on what he described as Modi’s deference to Trump’s expectations. He suggested that the two leaders’ dynamic has shifted into a situation where India appears ready to align its energy decisions with U.S. preferences. “I heard an audio today wherein Trump said that he knows that Modi respects him and listens to him,” Kharge told reporters, asserting that such remarks imply undue influence on India’s policy choices.
He framed his remarks as a caution against what he sees as India yielding to external pressure at a cost to national dignity. Taking a pointed jab, Kharge even drew on a popular film reference to emphasise his point, suggesting the tone of Trump’s supposed comment evoked images of blind allegiance.
Beyond the immediate controversy over the audio clip, Kharge widened his critique to encompass broader global developments. He voiced concern about recent actions by the United States, particularly regarding Venezuela and emerging geopolitical flashpoints, warning that aggressive foreign moves risk destabilising world peace. He invoked historical comparisons to argue that expansionist ambitions often end in failure, a sentiment he used to underline his unease over current international conduct.
This exchange comes amid ongoing debates in India over energy security and diplomatic autonomy as New Delhi navigates pressures from multiple global powers. Analysts say that while the Indian government maintains it will prioritise its citizens’ interests in sourcing energy, opposition parties are seizing on every sign of U.S. pressure to push their narrative of compromised sovereignty.
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