'Dear Mr President... Please mind your own business': Kamal Haasan takes on Trump amid 'permission’ remark on Russian oil
PTC Web Desk: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has strongly criticised remarks made by a senior US official suggesting that Washington had granted India “permission” to purchase Russian oil. The Rajya Sabha MP said India is a sovereign nation and does not take directives from foreign governments.
Taking to social media platform X, Haasan addressed the US leadership directly, asserting that India’s decisions are guided by its own national interests. “Dear Mr. President, we the people of India belong to a free and sovereign nation. We no longer take orders from distant foreign shores. Please mind your own business to the best of your abilities,” he wrote.
Kamal Haasan further emphasised that respect between independent nations should be the cornerstone of international relations. He added that mutual respect is essential for maintaining long-term global peace and stability.
The controversy erupted after Scott Bessent, a senior aide to Donald Trump, stated in an interview with Fox Business that the United States had allowed India to continue buying Russian crude. According to Bessent, Washington had earlier urged India to halt purchases of sanctioned Russian oil, but later permitted them temporarily due to disruptions in global supply caused by tensions in the Middle East.
Bessent said India had initially planned to replace Russian supplies with oil from the United States, but the shift was eased to prevent shortages in the international market. He also indicated that Washington may reconsider sanctions on certain Russian oil shipments.
Responding to questions about the matter, Trump said the global oil market has sufficient supply and any pressure related to shortages would likely ease soon. He added that the US possesses significant oil reserves and global production remains strong.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has reiterated that the country’s energy security remains intact despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions. Officials stated that India has significantly diversified its crude oil import sources over the past few years, expanding from around 27 supplier countries to nearly 40.
Government sources also stressed that India purchases crude oil based on affordability and national interest, rejecting the notion that the country requires approval from any foreign government to conduct energy trade with Russia.
The political debate within India also intensified after the US official’s remarks. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticised the government’s handling of foreign policy. He said India’s diplomatic decisions should reflect the collective will of its people and be rooted in the country’s history, geography and moral values such as truth and non-violence.
- With inputs from agencies
