Kejriwal Demands PM Modi’s Resignation Over US Waiver Allowing India to Buy Russian Oil
AAP chief questions US waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil, says India should not require foreign approval for energy decisions.
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation while criticising the Centre over a recent waiver issued by the United States allowing Indian refiners to buy Russian crude.
In a post shared on social media platform X, Kejriwal questioned why India needed any form of approval from Washington to continue oil purchases from Moscow. He alleged that the country’s leadership had appeared weak in recent months and claimed that the government had repeatedly failed to assert India’s independent stance on global issues.
Kejriwal said India, with its long civilisational history and population of over 1.4 billion people, should not be seen seeking permission from any other nation on matters concerning its energy security. He added that the country had historically produced strong leaders and argued that India had never bowed before another nation in such a manner.
The remarks came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a temporary 30-day waiver permitting Indian refiners to continue buying Russian oil already in transit. According to the statement, the measure was intended to maintain stability in global energy markets while preventing supply disruptions.
Bessent said the limited waiver would not significantly benefit Russia because it only allows transactions involving cargoes that are already stranded at sea. He also indicated that the United States expects India to gradually increase purchases of American crude in the future.
The development comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in West Asia following a joint US-Israel military strike on Iranian territory on February 28, which led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures. The escalation has raised concerns about possible disruptions to energy supply routes.
India relies heavily on crude imports from the Middle East, with a large share of shipments passing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Any prolonged disruption in the region could have significant implications for global energy markets and India’s fuel supply chain.
