'Frightened': Rahul slams PM Modi over Trump's Russian oil claim; launches 5-point attack

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India, October 16, 2025 (Thursday)

'Frightened': Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi over Trump's Russian oil claim; launches 5-point attack | India News – The Times of IndiaEditionININUSEnglishEnglishहिन्दीमराठीಕನ್ನಡதமிழ்বাংলাമലയാളംతెలుగుગુજરાતીWeatherSign InTOIindiaBihar Election 2025MaharashtraKarnatakaTelanganaWest BengalTamil NaduAndhra PradeshUttar PradeshGujaratRajasthanPunjabOdishaMadhya PradeshHaryanaTripuraUttarakhandBiharKeralaAssamArunachal PradeshManipurChhattisgarhJammu KashmirNagalandJharkhandMeghalayaHimachal PradeshWeb StoriesDigital ArrestOperation SindoorCancel PatriarchyToday's ePaperNewsIndia News'Frightened': Rahul

Gandhi slams PM Modi over Trump's Russian oil claim; launches 5-point attackTrendingPak Afghan ClashMLB Trade RumorAshley TellisBihar PollsUPPSC APO ApplicationEknath ShindeTata Motors DemergerPF WithdrawalPak Afghan ClashMLB Trade RumorAshley TellisBihar PollsUPPSC APO ApplicationEknath ShindeTata Motors DemergerPF WithdrawalPak Afghan ClashMLB Trade RumorAshley

TellisBihar PollsUPPSC APO ApplicationEknath ShindeTata Motors DemergerPF Withdrawal’Frightened’: Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi over Trump’s Russian oil claim; launches 5-point attackTOI News Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Oct 16, 2025, 11:57 ISTShareAA+Text SizeSmallMediumLargeCongress has attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They

claim he compromised India’s dignity. This follows US President Donald Trump’s statement. Trump reported Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil. Congress calls Russia a close ally. They state relationships should not be damaged for personal ties. However,

Modi is called a weak Prime Minister. His actions have unsettled foreign policy. Rahul Gandhi and PM Narendra Modi (File photos) NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing

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him of being "frightened" of Donald Trump, hours after the US President claimed that the PM has "assured him that India would stop buying Russian oil".The Congress leader reported the Prime Minister "keeps sending congratulatory messages despite repeated snubs". Rahul

Gandhi Slams PM Modi After Trump Claims India Assured Him to Cut Russian Oil Imports"PM Modi is frightened of Trump. 1. Allows Trump to decide and announce that India will not buy Russian oil. In addition, 2. Keeps sending congratulatory

messages despite repeated snubs. 3. Cancelled the Finance Minister’s visit to America. 4. Skipped Sharm el-Sheikh. In addition, 5. Doesn’t contradict him on Operation Sindoor," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.Earlier, his party attacked PM Modi for "compromising the country's dignity",

calling Russia India's close ally. "Don’t damage the country's relationships just to improve personal ‘friendly ties," reported Congress. "Narendra Modi has once again compromised the country’s dignity. as per Trump, bowing to his anger and threats, Modi assured that India

would stop buying oil from Russia. One thing is clear – Narendra Modi is a weak Prime Minister, and his actions have unsettled the nation’s foreign policy. In addition, Russia has always been a close ally of India. Don’t damage

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the country’s relationships just to improve personal ‘friendly ties'," Congress posted on X.Trump claimed on Wednesday that PM Modi has assured him that India will stop buying Russian oil, months after he imposed punitive tariffs over the purchases."He's assured me

there will be no oil purchased from Russia," Trump reported. "You know, you can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon," he added. Also read: 'He assured

me': Trump says PM Modi told him he won't purchase Russian oil; wants same from ChinaResponding to ANI's question whether he views India as a reliable partner, Trump reported: "Yeah, sure. He's (PM Narendra Modi) a friend of mine. Therefore,

We have a great relationship.. I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That's a big stop. Now we've got to get China to do

the same thing.""He's a friend of mine. We have a great relationship. Moreover, He just reported that two days ago, as you know," the Republican leader added. Meanwhile, Russia remains India's single-largest source of oil, accounting for 34% of inbound

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shipments in September, although volumes have slipped 10% in the first eight months of 2025, as per commodities and shipping markets tracker Kpler.The agency’s latest report pegs India’s crude imports in September at more than 4.5 million bpd (barrels per

day).This is an increase of 70,000 barrels over August but flat when compared to the year-ago period, says the report, adding Russian oil accounted for a tad under 1.6 million bpd, or 34% of crude imports. India’s overall crude imports

in October have broadly remained in line with expectations at 1.6 million bpd. However, Russian crude shipments have seen a drop of 180,000 from the average volumes imported during the first eight months of 2025, says the report.The drop in

the imports is purely driven by market dynamics and not because of US tariff threat and European criticism against India’s continued purchase of those barrels.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists

who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering,

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verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped

with the latest developments that matter most."Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Slams PM Modi After Trump Claims India Assured Him to Cut Russian Oil ImportsWill India Ditch Russian Oil For The US? In addition, Donald Trump’s

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