Kharge Accuses Government of Surrendering as US Advances Russia Sanctions Bill
Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the government after the US House of Representatives advanced a bill allowing 100% tariffs on India for buying Russian oil and gas.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday accused the Modi government of repeatedly surrendering in the face of mounting pressure from the United States, reacting to a move in the US House of Representatives to advance a bill targeting countries that purchase Russian energy.
The legislation, if enacted, would authorise President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India and other nations that buy oil and gas from Russia. It would also extend existing sanctions on Iran.
Kharge's remarks came shortly after the House vote, which marks a further step in Washington's efforts to tighten economic pressure over Russian energy purchases. The bill's advancement has raised concerns about its potential impact on India's energy imports and trade ties with the US.
The Congress leader's criticism centres on the government's handling of external pressure, arguing that it has consistently yielded rather than safeguarding national interests. There was no immediate response from the government to his remarks.
The development adds to the ongoing debate over India's energy sourcing strategy amid global sanctions regimes, with the proposed US measure posing fresh challenges for New Delhi's diplomatic and economic balancing act.