New Delhi (TDI): India’s government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is facing criticism from opposition parties and public commentators following a statement by Scott Bessent that Washington had temporarily allowed Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea.
The waiver, issued for 30 days, is intended to ensure global oil flows amid heightened instability in the Middle East after the US–Israel attacks on Iran.
Opposition leaders have accused the Modi administration of making India appear dependent on US approval for its energy needs. The Indian National Congress stated on social media that New Delhi had been “led to a situation where the United States is now deciding where India can buy oil from and where it cannot.” Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin questioned India’s role in appearing passive while an unarmed Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, was recently sunk by the US following its participation in a multinational naval exercise hosted in India.
Bessent emphasized that the waiver is a short-term measure with minimal benefit to Moscow, applying only to oil already stranded at sea. He stressed that India remains a key US partner and expects New Delhi to increase purchases of American oil. Analysts note that India’s reliance on foreign oil makes it vulnerable to supply disruptions; roughly 40% of its imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and current reserves cover just about 25 days of demand.
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The waiver comes after India had begun reducing Russian oil imports in January under pressure from Washington, part of a trade arrangement designed to avoid tariffs and secure an interim trade deal. According to reports cited by The Guardian, India approached the US administration for approval to buy Russian crude as tensions in the Gulf threatened energy security.
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Critics argue that the move underscores India’s dependence on Washington amid geopolitical turmoil, while supporters contend it is a pragmatic step to maintain energy stability for the nation’s rapidly growing economy. The debate highlights the delicate balancing act New Delhi faces between strategic autonomy and maintaining strong ties with global powers.
