Congress leader Shashi Tharoor Hits Out at Trump, Says ‘US Prez Shouldn’t Tell What India Will Do’ News24 –

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor hit out at US President Donald Trump over his claims that India would cut down Russian oil imports by the year-end. Tharoor said, “Trump should not tell what India will do.”

“I don’t really think it’s appropriate for Trump to be making announcements about India’s decisions. I think India will make announcements about its decisions. We don’t tell the world what Trump will do. I think Trump should not be telling the world what India will do,” Tharoor said.

On October 22, while talking to reporters, Trump claimed that India would significantly reduce Russian oil imports by the end of the year, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance.

President Trump also stated that the process of phasing out Russian oil imports would be gradual, claiming that India would bring it “down to almost nothing” by year-end.

“India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can’t just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That’s a big thing, that is almost 40 per cent of the oil. India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday and they have been absolutely great,” President Trump said during an interaction with press persons in the White House, while hosting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

However, India denies any agreement, emphasising its priority to safeguard consumer interests. The country’s energy policy prioritises stable prices and secure supplies.