Actor-politician says India is a sovereign nation amid US decision on Russian oil imports
March 8, 2026: Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has criticised Donald Trump after the United States granted India a temporary waiver to continue importing Russian oil. The founder of the Makkal Needhi Maiam said India is a sovereign nation capable of making its own policy decisions. In a strongly worded message posted on X, Haasan wrote that India no longer takes orders from foreign powers and urged the US president to “mind your own business.”
The remarks came after Washington announced a 30-day waiver allowing Indian refineries to receive Russian oil shipments already in transit amid global supply uncertainty linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Explaining the decision, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said India had previously cooperated with sanctions and the temporary exemption was meant to ease disruptions in global oil supply.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities said the country’s energy security remains stable despite rising geopolitical tensions. The Press Information Bureau said India has expanded its crude oil sources from 27 to 40 countries to ensure supply stability. The issue has gained further attention as tensions in West Asia rise following US–Israel strikes that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, putting pressure on global energy markets.