Rahul Slams Modi as 'Frightened of Trump' on Oil

Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi as 'Frightened of Trump' Over Russian Oil Assurance Claim

Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi Trump oil claim with a scathing X post on October 16, 2025, accusing the Prime Minister of cowering before US President Donald Trump after the latter's assertion that Narendra Modi assured a halt to Russian oil purchases. The Congress leader's broadside highlights Modi's alleged subservience, listing snubs like canceled US visits and unrefuted ceasefire narratives, amid escalating US tariffs on India totaling 50%. This exchange reignites debates on India's energy autonomy and diplomatic balancing act between Washington and Moscow, as Trump's Oval Office remarks on October 15 underscore pressures to align with Western sanctions against Russia's Ukraine invasion.

Gandhi's post, garnering over 4,000 likes within hours, portrays Modi as yielding to Trump's "economic blackmail," tying it to broader foreign policy lapses. Trump's statement-"I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia"-came during a White House briefing, framing it as a "big step" before targeting China next. Yet, Indian officials remain mum, fueling opposition narratives of capitulation amid 2024's USD 50 billion Russian crude imports that cushioned global price spikes.

The controversy erupts as US-India ties strain under tariffs imposed since August 2025, with Modi vowing self-reliance from the Red Fort on Independence Day. Gandhi's critique echoes prior jabs, like Modi's silence on Trump's "dead economy" remark and Adani probes, positioning Congress as defenders of sovereignty in an election year.

Rahul Gandhi's Fiery X Post: Listing Modi's Alleged Weaknesses

Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi Trump oil claim in a pointed X thread, branding Modi "frightened of Trump" for permitting the US leader to dictate India's energy policy. The post enumerates grievances: Allowing Trump's announcement on Russian oil cessation; persistent congratulations despite snubs; canceling Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's US visit; skipping Sharm el-Sheikh summits; and failing to rebut Trump's "Operation Sindoor" ceasefire narrative. Posted at 3:47 AM IST on October 16, it amassed 90,000 views rapidly, amplifying Congress's narrative of a pliant PM amid domestic economic woes.

Gandhi's rhetoric builds on August 2025 barbs, alleging Modi's reticence stems from US probes into Adani Group's Russian oil links, tying tariffs to "financial threats." This latest salvo coincides with Trump's Oval Office quip, where he boasted of a "great relationship" with Modi, claiming the assurance curbs Russia's USD 180 billion annual oil revenues funding Ukraine operations. Analysts note Gandhi's strategy leverages Trump's bombast to erode Modi's strongman image ahead of state polls.

Congress allies, including CPI(M)'s Brinda Karat, echoed Gandhi, decrying "surrender to imperialism," while BJP's Amit Malhotra dismissed it as "sour grapes," citing Modi's Quad leadership. The post's virality-over 1,300 reposts-signals opposition momentum in a polarized discourse.

Trump's Oval Office Bombshell: Assurance on Russian Oil Halt

Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi Trump oil claim stems from Donald Trump's October 15 White House remarks, where the President asserted Modi pledged to end Russian crude buys. "That's a big stop," Trump declared, linking it to prior 25% tariffs hiking duties to 50%-a penalty for India's 35% reliance on discounted Urals oil post-2022 Ukraine war. Sources like CNBC and The Guardian confirm Trump's phrasing: "He assured me today they will not be buying oil from Russia," eyeing similar pressure on China, Russia's top buyer at 40% share.

Trump's bravado aligns with his "America First" redux, imposing USD 10 billion in levies since August to enforce G7 caps. Yet, India's Petroleum Ministry's silence-neither confirming nor denying-fuels speculation of backchannel diplomacy, as 2025 imports hit 2 million bpd, saving USD 12 billion amid Brent at USD 75. CNN reports Trump's "great relationship" with Modi, but Al Jazeera notes no official readout, suggesting rhetorical flourish over firm commitment.

Politico and Bloomberg contextualize it within US midterm strategies, where curbing Russia's USD 300 billion energy windfall aids Ukraine aid packages. For India, the claim risks domestic backlash, as Russian oil powers 85% imports, stabilizing inflation at 5%.

Modi's Self-Reliance Push: Independence Day Response to Tariffs

Facing Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi Trump oil claim, Narendra Modi's August 15 Red Fort address reaffirmed "Atmanirbhar Bharat," vowing no compromise on farmers' livelihoods despite "heavy prices." "We should become self-reliant-not out of desperation, but pride," Modi urged, decrying global "economic selfishness" and rejecting "clutches" of external powers. This echoes July 2025 retorts to Trump's "dead economy" label, where Modi highlighted 8% GDP growth versus US 2.5%.

Modi's tariff riposte includes boosting domestic refining via USD 20 billion investments, targeting 300 million tonnes capacity by 2030. NDTV reports his "Make in India" revival, courting Tesla and Apple shifts from China, offsetting USD 15 billion levy hits. Yet, Economic Times notes 50% duties could inflate exports like textiles by 10%, impacting 10 million jobs.

India's Russia ties, rooted in 1971 treaty, prioritize energy security; 2025 rupee deals bypassed sanctions, but Trump's claim pressures diversification to US shale, up 20% in Q3.

Economic Stakes: Tariffs, Oil Trade, and India's Balancing Act

Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi Trump oil claim spotlights USD 50 billion Indo-US trade at risk from 50% tariffs since August, targeting steel and pharma. Deccan Herald links it to Adani probes, alleging Modi's reticence shields conglomerates in Russian ventures. India's 2025 oil imports-85% foreign-saved USD 15 billion via Russia, but cessation could hike CPI by 2%, per RBI estimates.

Times of India reports Modi's Sharm el-Sheikh skip and Sitharaman's canceled trip as snubs, while YouTube clips amplify Gandhi's "hands tied" motif. Bloomberg forecasts 5% rupee dip if assurances hold, but Swarajya suggests diplomatic posturing, with no formal policy shift.

Geopolitically, it tests Quad cohesion; India eyes FTA revival, but tariffs echo 2019 steel duties, resolved via WTO.

Political Echoes: From Ceasefire Claims to Adani Probes

Gandhi's litany revives July 2025 "Operation Sindoor" row, where Trump claimed Modi halted Pakistan strikes post-ultimatum-unrefuted by Delhi. The Hindu details Adani's USD 10 billion Russian deals under US scrutiny, per August leaks, binding Modi's responses. India Today notes Gandhi's sarcasm on trade deals, questioning Modi's silence on Trump's barbs.

BJP counters with Modi's US investments-USD 50 billion FDI since 2014-dismissing Gandhi as "anti-national." TaxTMI calls tariffs "blackmail," urging resilience. As X buzzes with #ModiScared, the row polarizes ahead of 2026 state elections.

In essence, Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi Trump oil claim encapsulates India's multipolar tightrope, where energy sovereignty clashes with alliance imperatives, shaping 2025's diplomatic chessboard.