Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Veteran actor and politician Kamal Haasan has sharply responded to remarks from Donald Trump’s administration regarding India’s purchase of Russian oil, telling the US President to “mind your own business” and defending the country’s sovereign right to decide its energy policy.In a message posted on X and addressed directly to the US President, Haasan framed the issue as one of national independence and mutual respect between nations. “We, the people of India, belong to a free and sovereign nation. We no longer take orders from distant foreign shores,” Haasan wrote in the post addressed to the US President.“Please mind your own business to the best of your abilities. Mutual respect between sovereign nations is the only foundation of lasting global peace.”Haasan concluded the message by wishing the United States and its people well, signing the post: “We wish your country and its people peace and prosperity. Kamal Haasan – A Proud Indian Citizen, Founder, Makkal Needhi Maiam.”His remarks came after US officials said Washington had allowed Indian refiners to buy Russian oil that was already at sea as part of a temporary measure to stabilise global supply during the ongoing West Asia crisis linked to the war involving Iran.According to the US Treasury, the waiver allows Indian refiners to purchase Russian crude that had already been loaded onto vessels before March 5. The authorisation is valid for 30 days, until April 4, and is designed to release oil stranded at sea into global markets.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move was intended to ease short-term supply disruptions. “Yesterday, the Treasury agreed to let our allies in India start buying Russian oil that was already on the water,” he said in an interview with Fox Business.Bessent said India had earlier complied with requests to reduce purchases of sanctioned Russian oil and was planning to substitute those imports with American supplies. However, he added that the temporary step was necessary to stabilise markets amid tensions affecting global shipping routes.US Energy Secretary Chris Wright echoed the position, writing on X that Washington was “allowing our friends in India” to process Russian oil already on ships near Southern Asia in order to ensure supplies reach the market quickly.“We are allowing our friends in India to take oil that is already on ships, refine it, and move those barrels into the market quickly,” Wright wrote.
