'Mind your own business': Kamal Haasan’s message to Donald Trump over Russian oil remark

In a post on X, the Rajya Sabha MP said India was a sovereign nation that does not take orders from other countries.

“Dear Mr President, we the people of India belong to a free and sovereign nation. We no longer take orders from distant foreign shores. Please mind your own business to the best of your abilities,” Haasan wrote.

He added that mutual respect between sovereign nations was the only foundation for lasting global peace and wished the United States peace and prosperity.

The remarks came after Scott Bessent said that US had allowed India to resume buying Russian oil to ease supply shortages in global markets.

In an interview with Fox Business, Bessent said the US had earlier asked India to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil last fall and that New Delhi had complied.

He added that India had planned to substitute those purchases with American oil but had been given permission to import Russian crude again to help address temporary supply gaps.

US President Donald Trump was later asked about the remarks and whether Washington was considering additional measures.

“If there were some, I would do it just to take a little of the pressure off,” Trump said, adding that global oil supply pressures would likely ease quickly given the large reserves available.

Meanwhile, the Indian government said the country’s energy supplies remain stable despite disruptions linked to tensions along the Strait of Hormuz.

Officials said India has diversified its crude oil imports from 27 to 40 countries to ensure multiple supply routes and continues to purchase oil from sources offering the most competitive prices in the national interest.

They also stressed that India has never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil.

The issue has also triggered political reactions in India. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticised the government over the US official’s remarks, saying India’s foreign policy must reflect the collective will of its people and be rooted in the country’s history and values.