The Bharatiya Janata Party’s former national president Ram Madhav on Friday said that he was “factually incorrect” when he remarked that India had stopped buying oil from Russia and Iran to ensure good relations with the United States.
During a panel discussion titled “New paths forward for the US-India relationship” held in Washington, Madhav said that New Delhi had taken the decision to halt the oil trade with Iran and Russia despite “much criticism” from the Opposition parties.
“India agreed to a 50% tariff without saying too much,” he said. “So, where exactly is India not doing enough to work with America?”
Former diplomat Elizabeth Threlkeld and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell were also part of the panel. It was unclear when the discussion was held.
After videos of the discussion were shared on social media, the Congress on Friday claimed that Madhav’s statements were proof that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was US President Donald Trump’s “puppet”.
“It’s obvious – Narendra Modi is completely compromised, and the country is paying the price for it,” alleged the Congress.
Party MP Shama Mohamed said that Madhav’s remarks confirm the Opposition’s charge that Modi “compromised India’s interests to please the Trump administration”.
Later in the day, Madhav said what he had said was “wrong”.
“India didn’t agree to stopping import of oil from Russia anytime,” he said. “Also it vigorously protested 50% tariff imposition. I was trying to make a limited counterpoint to the other panellist. But factually incorrect. My apologies.”
Indian goods had been facing a combined US tariff rate of 50%, including a punitive levy of 25% imposed in August for buying Russian oil.
The US had repeatedly alleged that India’s purchases of Russian oil helped fuel the war in Ukraine, while New Delhi had maintained that its oil purchases were aimed at ensuring its own energy security.
On February 7, Trump issued an executive order to remove the additional 25% punitive tariff on imports from India over New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. This brought the effective US tariff rate on Indian imports to 18% after the interim trade deal was agreed to.
You’ve read Scroll.
Now help sustain it
Scroll is funded by readers, not corporate owners. If you believe our work matters, support our newsroom. Become a member today!
We’re not driven by clicks or corporate interests – just honest, independent reporting. Keep us going. Support Scroll today!