Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addresses the ‘India-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Annual Summit’ via video conferencing, in New Delhi on October 26, 2025. Photo: PMO via PTI
The Congress on Sunday (October 26, 2025) took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that India is cutting back on the purchase of Russian oil, saying it is “no wonder” that the Prime Minister’s “huglomacy” is not visible in Kuala Lumpur.
The Opposition party’s jibe followed Mr. Trump, on his way to Malaysia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, telling reporters that “India is cutting back completely” on the purchase of Russian oil.
Congress general secretary incharge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said, “Last night, aboard Air Force One on the way to Kuala Lumpur, President Trump repeated, for at least the sixth time, the claim that India is cutting down on the imports of Russian oil. This time, he has said that India will zero the imports of Russian oil. No wonder, Mr. Modi’s huglomacy is not visible today in Kuala Lumpur.”
Mr. Ramesh also shared a video clip of Mr. Trump’s interaction with reporters, in which he repeated his claim of India cutting back Russian oil imports.
With the Prime Minister not travelling to Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit that commenced on Sunday (October 26), and opting to participate virtually, the Congress had on Thursday (October 26) claimed that the reason for Modi’s absence was that he did not want to be cornered by President Trump.
Last week, Mr. Ramesh said that posting messages in praise of President Trump on social media is one thing, but to be seen hobnobbing physically with the leader who has claimed “53 times” that he stopped Operation Sindoor and also claimed “five times” that India has promised to stop buying oil from Russia is “far too risky” for the Prime Minister.
Malaysia invited Mr. Trump as well as leaders of several countries, which are dialogue partners of the ASEAN, for the summit.
Mr. Trump has reiterated his claim that India has agreed to “stop” buying oil from Russia and would bring imports down to “almost nothing” by the end of the year. He added that it is a process and will take some time, and said he would also try to persuade China to do the same.
China and India are the two biggest buyers of Russian crude oil.
Published – October 26, 2025 07:21 pm IST
