By: The Trek News Desk
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the PM is “afraid of Donald Trump.” This criticism came after US President Donald Trump claimed that India had agreed to stop purchasing oil from Russia, a statement that remains unconfirmed by the Indian government.
Trump’s Statement Raises Eyebrows
Speaking on Thursday, Trump asserted that Prime Minister Modi had personally assured him that India would soon halt all oil imports from Russia. “My friend Modi told me he’s going to stop buying oil from Russia. It’s a process, but it will end soon,” Trump stated.
Despite the high-profile nature of the claim, the Indian government has issued no official confirmation or clarification, leading to rising political tensions and speculation over India’s foreign policy stance.
Rahul Gandhi Accuses Modi of Submissiveness
Reacting to Trump’s remarks, Rahul Gandhi called Prime Minister Modi “submissive” and “scared” of Trump. “Despite being repeatedly insulted by Trump, PM Modi kept sending congratulatory messages. Be it Trump’s harsh tariffs on Indian imports or his misleading claims about ceasefire talks with Pakistan, Modi never responded or contradicted him,” said Gandhi.
He also criticised Modi for allegedly cancelling Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to the United States under pressure, and for not pushing back against Trump’s comments related to Operation Sindoor, a sensitive military operation that remains a contentious issue.
A History of Unequal Ties with Trump?
This isn’t the first time Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns about Modi’s diplomatic conduct with Trump. Back in August, he had labelled Trump’s 50% tariff hike on Indian exports as “economic blackmail,” warning that the Indian PM should not allow his political weakness to override national interests.
In a controversial remark in June, Gandhi alleged that Trump had “pressured Modi into surrendering,” accusing the Indian Prime Minister of blindly following Trump’s commands and compromising India’s independent foreign policy.
Unconfirmed Deal on Russian Oil
In his most recent remarks, Trump doubled down on his claim that India is moving to halt oil purchases from Russia. While acknowledging that such shifts take time, he insisted that the agreement with Modi is already in motion. “It won’t happen overnight, but it’s happening,” he said.
However, the Indian government’s continued silence on this matter has only deepened uncertainty, both domestically and internationally.
Modi’s Public Praise for Trump Raises Questions
Interestingly, despite the tensions and controversies, Prime Minister Modi has never publicly criticised Trump. On the contrary, he has consistently praised Trump’s initiatives, especially the US-led Gaza peace efforts.
Modi congratulated Trump multiple times on X (formerly Twitter) for his proposed Gaza peace plan, partial ceasefire breakthroughs, and the release of hostages. Reports suggest Modi even called Trump personally to extend his congratulations on the initiative’s success.
This pattern of admiration has sparked concerns among opposition leaders, who argue that Modi’s continued praise weakens India’s diplomatic stance and undermines its autonomy on the global stage.
Modi’s Absence from the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit
Adding fuel to the fire, PM Modi chose to skip the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, a major diplomatic gathering hosted by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and chaired jointly with Donald Trump. Leaders from over 30 nations, including Pakistan, attended the summit to discuss the Gaza conflict.
Despite receiving a personal invitation, Modi opted not to attend and instead sent Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. The absence of India’s top leadership at such a high-stakes summit has led to further criticism of Modi’s diplomatic priorities.
Silence Raises More Questions Than Answers
As the opposition steps up its criticism, the ball is now in the government’s court. Will the Centre respond to Trump’s claims regarding the Russian oil deal? So far, the silence has only fuelled speculation and raised uncomfortable questions about the direction and transparency of India’s foreign policy.
Rahul Gandhi’s pointed remarks reflect a larger narrative that the Modi government is too willing to yield to external pressure, particularly from the United States. With elections looming and diplomatic stakes rising, how India chooses to respond in the coming days will be closely watched.
Source: News Agencies
