
Congress's 'gangs of Epstein' swipe after India gets US waiver on Russian oil
India Today
After India received a 30-day waiver from the US to buy Russian oil currently stranded at sea as a result of the raging Middle East conflict, the Congress accused the government of letting the country's energy policy be dictated by Washington.
The Congress on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Centre after India received a 30-day waiver from the US to buy Russian oil currently stranded at sea as a result of the raging Middle East conflict.
According to officials, the waiver is aimed at easing pressure on global oil markets amid rising geopolitical tensions and supply concerns linked to the ongoing US-Iran war.
Reacting to the development, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned the government’s position on Russian oil purchases and accused the government of letting India’s energy policy be dictated by Washington.
“Yesterday, we had challenged (Petroleum Minister) Hardeep Singh Puri to clarify India’s position on the purchase of Russian oil. Interestingly, the clarification arrived today — albeit from the US,” Khera said in a post on X.
Yesterday, we had challenged @HardeepSPuri to clarify India’s position on the purchase of Russian oil.Interestingly, the clarification arrived today – albeit from the United States.Permission has apparently been granted. Temporarily. For one month.Imagine the scale of pic.twitter.com/sfIMwamMvD— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) March 6, 2026
He added that the permission appeared to be temporary and alleged that India’s energy security should not depend on approval from the US, taking a swipe with a controversial reference to the “gangs of Epstein.”

India on Monday said it has not held bilateral talks with the United States on deploying naval vessels to secure merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The clarification came after US President Donald Trump urged countries to send warships to keep the strategic waterway open amid tensions with Iran.












