U.S. oil waiver: India must reduce dependency on foreign energy, fossil fuels, say Greens

By A Representative

The United States has issued a temporary 30-day waiver to India, permitting the country to resume the purchase of crude oil from Russia. This decision comes on the heels of recently announced 25 percent tariffs that were set to be applied to Indian imports of Russian crude.

The move has drawn a sharp response from the Green Party of India, which characterized the waiver as a symbolic affront to the nation’s autonomy. Party representatives argued that India’s energy security decisions should not be subject to approval by external powers.

According to party data, fossil fuels currently account for approximately 85 percent of India’s energy consumption. This demand is distributed across several key sectors, including transport at 14.3 percent, electricity and heating at 24.9 percent, and agriculture at 24 percent. The Green Party noted that the transportation sector is a significant contributor to global emissions.

In response to the ongoing situation, the Green Party has outlined a series of proposals aimed at reducing dependency on foreign energy and fossil fuels. These recommendations include a shift toward nationalizing transport and freight systems, with an emphasis on expanding public rail and bus networks and redirecting funds away from new road projects. The party also advocates for a transition to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, which they suggest should be community-controlled.

Additionally, the group called for individual citizen action, encouraging practices like walking, cycling, increased use of public transport, and reducing unnecessary travel. The Green Party framed these measures as essential for achieving both genuine sovereignty and environmental sustainability, stating that India’s future independence is linked to its ability to move beyond reliance on carbon-based fuels.

M. Gurumoorthy, Convenor of the Green Party of India, which is associated with the Socialist Party (India), issued the statement.

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