Congress parliamentarian and leader Pawan Khera sharply criticised India’s Modi government after the US Senate passed a bill concerning sanctions on Russia. Speaking to the media in Prayagraj on August 8, 2026, Khera asked whether India was truly independent. The report said that if enacted, the measure would allow US President Donald Trump to impose 100 percent tariffs on the top five buyers of Russian oil, including India and China.

Khera said foreign countries were “blackmailing” India and imposing their own terms over which countries India could buy oil from and in what quantity. The Senate bill concerns tariffs or sanctions of up to 100 percent on leading countries involved in purchasing Russian oil and gas, according to the report.

Referring to the government’s claim of being a “Vishwaguru,” Khera said it should answer questions on the issue. He alleged that the government lacked the courage to face such questions in parliament and feared accountability to the public. Congress has placed the central government under criticism over India’s independent foreign policy and its position amid international political and economic pressure.