Congress MP Imran Masood on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Centre over US President Donald Trump’s comment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would stop buying oil from Russia. Questioning the Prime Minister’s silence, Masood asked whether Trump was “India’s father” and demanded clarity on India’s stance toward Moscow, calling Russia an “old friend.”

Masood accused the government of keeping the public in the dark about foreign policy decisions and warned against falling into “shackles of slavery.” He asserted that India was too significant a market to be ignored by Washington and urged the government to declare unequivocally that it stands with Russia. “Will we eat roti only when Trump gives it to us?” he asked, insinuating that New Delhi should act independently of American interests.

Backing Masood’s criticism, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh mocked the government, saying that decisions regarding India seemed to be announced by Trump in Washington instead of New Delhi. “Yahan se tareef, wahan se tariffs,” Ramesh quipped, referring to US trade toughening amid diplomatic exchanges. He demanded that the Prime Minister brief Parliament on India’s oil import policy and the pending trade agreement with the US.

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President Trump’s comments came during a joint news conference at the Oval Office, where he claimed Modi assured him India would cease Russian oil imports — a move he described as “a big step” in isolating Moscow. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs reaffirmed that India’s energy sourcing decisions are guided solely by national interests and consumer protection, emphasizing that diversification remains central to its energy policy.

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