The decision by the US Treasury Department to grant a 30-day temporary waiver (effective March 5 to April 4, 2026), citing disruptions in global oil supplies due to the Iran-Israel conflict, allowing Indian refiners to purchase stranded Russian crude, has sparked a fierce domestic political debate. While the government frames the move as a pragmatic victory for energy security amid the escalating West Asia conflict, the Opposition argues it exposes a newfound Indian dependency on Washington’s “permission.” What seemed to be a short-term relief for India to avoid potential risks linked to energy supply disruptions in the Middle East quickly posed a question mark on the country’s “sovereignty” as the Opposition leaders launched scathing attacks on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government, calling him “compromised” yet again. Is India under the control of USA?
