‘Is India run from White House?’: CM Bhagwant Mann questions US permission for purchase of Russian oil

Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday hit out at the Centre over the US waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil.Mann asked whether the country was being run from the US White House. He demanded clarity from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the nature of India's diplomatic relations with the Trump administration.
Replying to a question on US President Donald Trump granting India a 30-day window to purchase Russian oil, Mann said: "Is India being run from the US White House? Are we getting permissions from there? The headlines today said Donald Trump gave India the go-ahead to get oil from Russia for 30 days. Who is running our country? Modi ji should answer this. What weakness of Modi is being used by Trump that his instructions have to be followed?"He said: "Those who used to boast that India would become ‘Vishav Guru' instead reduced it to ‘Vishav Chela', as the United States is dictating its terms to the country. It is unfortunate that the country's foreign policy and sovereignty appear to be compromised.""Treaties are also being signed with the US, which also includes the agriculture sector – from soybean to maize. Now, we will have to ask them before sowing seeds supplied by them. It is more dangerous than the now withdrawn farm laws. Trump is acting like the sarpanch of the world," said Mann.On industrial investment in the state, the CM said: "March 20 will be a red-letter day for Punjab, as Tata Steel will begin operations at its second-largest plant in India on this day. The project, being set up at a cost of Rs 3,200 crore, will generate employment opportunities for the youth and significantly boost economic activity in the state." He said it would offer direct employment to over 3,000 persons.On the crisis in West Asia, Mann said: "So far, 385 persons from Punjab are identified as stranded in Middle East countries amid the ongoing conflict. Around 300 of them are mostly tourists stuck in the UAE, and the rest are in other countries of the region. They are being brought back in batches." He said the state govt was regularly taking up the issue with the Govt of India, adding that Punjab's NRIs affairs minister would be in Delhi until the issue was resolved.The CM also announced that the state govt would strongly oppose the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025. "This is an attempt by the Centre to usurp the rights of the states, which cannot be tolerated. Electricity, health and education are state subjects, and the Centre has no right to interfere in these," he said.Criticising the Congress for boycotting the governor's address, Mann said: "Some self-proclaimed seasoned politicians are indulging in theatrics to hog media attention as they cannot digest that Punjab is back on the path of progress and prosperity."Taking a swipe at the Shiromani Akali Dal chief, Mann said: "Sukhbir Badal is living in a fool's paradise and building castles in the air to mislead people. The people of Punjab are well aware of the past record of such leaders and will never allow them another chance to ruin the state."MSID:: 129218286 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !