Amidst controversy surrounding a White House claim that India consented to United States oversight of Russian petroleum imports, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated on Saturday that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) would provide clarity regarding India's acquisition of Russian crude. During a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday, Piyush Goyal said: "MEA will give information about it." The Congress party on Saturday criticized the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that the Union has accepted US surveillance of India’s Russian oil imports as a component of the trade pact's preliminary framework. If the US decides India has imported Russian oil directly or indirectly, the extra 25% tariff penalty is back. At the same time, Piyush Goyal has promised total safeguarding of Indian farmers within the parameters of the trade accord.
