Congress questions Centre over U.S. ‘blackmail’ after 30-day waiver on Russian oil purchase

The Congress on Friday (March 6, 2026) took a swipe at the Modi government after the U.S. announced a temporary waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil, and asked till when will this "American blackmail" continue.

In a post in rhyming in Hindi on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Trump ka naya khel, Dilli dost ko kaha, Putin se le sakte ho tel, kab tak chalega ye Ameriki blackmail (Trump's new game; told his friend in Delhi you can get oil from Putin; how long will this American blackmail continue?)

Amid the escalating conflict with Iran, the U.S. said it is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver on Russian oil purchases.

"President Trump's energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded. To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday (March 5, 2026).

Mr. Bessent said this "deliberately short-term measure" will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government, as it only authorises transactions involving oil already stranded at sea.

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"India is an essential partner of the United States, and we fully anticipate that New Delhi will ramp up purchases of US oil. This stop-gap measure will alleviate pressure caused by Iran's attempt to take global energy hostage," Mr. Bessent said in a post on X.

U.S. President Donald Trump had imposed 25% punitive tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, with the administration asserting that Delhi's purchases were helping fuel Russia's war against Ukraine.

Last month, the U.S. and India announced they had reached a framework for an Interim Agreement on trade, and Mr. Trump issued an Executive Order removing the 25% punitive tariffs on India, noting the commitment by New Delhi to stop importing energy from Moscow and increase purchasing American energy products.