The Congress on Monday(January 5) launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after renewed US warnings linked possible tariff hikes on Indian exports to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the government of relying on a personality-driven foreign policy that has failed to secure tangible benefits for India.

Ramesh, in a post on X, pointed out that the Prime Minister’s much-publicised friendship with the US President has not shielded India from economic pressure. He noted that Washington’s repeated warnings over trade and energy ties with Moscow reflect a “blow hot, blow cold” approach that undermines India’s economic interests. “All those Namaste Trump, Howdy Modi events, and social media posts praising the US President have done very little good,” Ramesh said.

According to an Asia News Network report, Washington has once again raised concerns over India’s oil imports from Russia, warning that continued purchases could trigger higher tariffs on Indian goods entering the US market. The warning adds to growing uncertainty in bilateral trade relations as the US intensifies efforts to isolate Russia economically.

The Modi government, however, maintains that purchasing discounted Russian crude is a sovereign decision aimed at ensuring energy security and affordability. Officials argue that India’s energy transactions fully comply with existing international sanctions, stressing that New Delhi’s approach reflects its strategic autonomy.

While the government touts growing defence and technology cooperation as signs of a stronger India-US partnership, the opposition contends that such optics-heavy diplomacy has not translated into consistent policy gains. As global power rivalries deepen, the renewed tariff threat is expected to further fuel debate over how India can safeguard its economic and strategic interests without compromising its independent foreign policy stance.

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