New Delhi, 06 March (H.S.): The Congress party has labeled US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's statement on a 30-day temporary waiver for Indian refineries to purchase Russian oil as an affront to India's sovereignty.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated on social media platform X that India's strategic autonomy and national sovereignty are in serious jeopardy, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is succumbing to blackmail. The language of granting permission is used for countries under sanctions, not for responsible partners like India. The Modi government is continuously ceding diplomatic space, reducing India to a speechless vassal state of America.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote that India's foreign policy emerges from the collective will of its people and must be rooted in truth and non-violence. What is happening today is not policy but the exploitation of a compromised individual.

Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal remarked that in Amrit Kaal, the Indian Prime Minister has to seek permission from other countries to buy oil, which is deeply humiliating for India's sovereignty and international standing. Instead of bowing to US conditions, India should adopt an independent stance and make decisions in its supreme national interest.

Notably, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that President Trump's energy policy has driven US oil and gas production to record highs. To maintain global oil supply, the US Treasury has issued a 30-day temporary waiver allowing Indian refineries to purchase Russian oil. This deliberately brief measure will not significantly benefit the Russian government financially, as it only authorizes transactions for oil already stranded at sea.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar