ISLAMABAD: The Indian National Congress on Saturday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a recent US executive order that removed an additional 25% tariff on certain Indian imports.

Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed, in a post on X, said the order, signed by US President Donald Trump, allows the United States to reimpose the tariff if India resumes importing Russian oil, directly or indirectly.

“The executive order signed by President Trump to remove the extra 25 percent tariff imposed due to Russian oil imports states that the tariff could be reinstated if India resumes such imports,” she wrote.

Dr Mohamed accused the Prime Minister of yielding to pressure from the US president.

“PM @narendramodi has succumbed to the pressure of President Trump. Who is America to decide whether we should buy oil from Russia, a country that has been our all-season friend!” she added.

The Congress criticism refers to Section 4 of the order, which gives the US President the authority to recommend reinstating the 25% duty on Indian goods if India resumes imports of Russian oil.

In a separate post, Dr Mohamed also highlighted India’s trade balances: “With our biggest trading partners UAE, Russia & China, we have a trade deficit. The only major trading partner with whom we have a trade surplus is the US. After the new trade deal, even with the US we will have a trade deficit! What a fall for India’s economy!”

Russian Oil Purchases

Congress criticizes Modi over US tariff conditionality on Russian oil