Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) president Prakash Ambedkar criticised the Centre after reports claimed that the United States had given India a 30-day “permission” window to continue purchasing oil from Russia. Questioning the growing influence of Washington over India’s economic and foreign policy decisions, Ambedkar directly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Reacting to the reports, Ambedkar posted on social media asking whether India’s economic decisions were now being dictated by the United States. “Who is giving this permission? Have we lost all autonomy in our trade agreements and foreign economic policy? Has India become the 51st state of America? Are our economic dealings now being decided by the US?” he questioned.
Ambedkar further alleged that before independence, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had pledged loyalty to the British Empire and claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party was now continuing that tradition by acting in line with American interests. He warned that India must preserve its autonomy in economic and foreign policy decisions; otherwise, the country’s sovereignty could come into question.
The VBA leader also noted that the issue of oil trade and sanctions has become increasingly sensitive globally following the Russia–Ukraine War. In such a situation, he said, references to the US role in India’s oil purchases have raised serious questions about the country’s policy independence.
Against this backdrop, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has demanded that the Union government clearly spell out its position on India’s economic and foreign policy decisions.
