Jairam Ramesh Questions Clarity on US-India Trade Deal, Says Russia Oil Imports Cut Under US Pressure

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday raised doubts about the progress and transparency surrounding the proposed US-India trade deal, asserting that the government has failed to provide a clear picture despite repeated claims of near completion. His remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Washington on trade, energy, and strategic cooperation.

Ramesh said the government’s messaging on the trade negotiations remains inconsistent. “I don't see any clarity on the trade deal. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has also said that 90% of the work has been done,” he said, suggesting that such statements offer little insight into the actual status or contours of the agreement.

The senior Congress leader also pointed to shifts in India’s energy procurement patterns, particularly its reliance on Russian crude oil. According to him, geopolitical pressure from Washington has influenced India’s decisions in this sector. “One thing is clear: the amount of oil we used to buy from Russia, we are reducing that number, because of the pressure of US President Trump,” he claimed.