The Congress party slammed the Modi government after the US announced a temporary 30-day waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge alleging India`s strategic autonomy and national sovereignty are under "dire threat" as PM Modi is being "blackmailed" by America

The Rajya Sabha saw a stormy start to Thursday’s session, with uproar over the denial of permission for Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi to speak. Opposition accused the government of gagging the LoP, while Leader of House J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended procedures and blamed the Opposition