India’s Congress leader denounces Trump’s claim of a finalized Venezuelan oil deal as false and intrusive.

Indian Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump for claiming India had already agreed to buy Venezuelan oil instead of Iranian crude, saying Trump was wrongly informing India about its own government decisions. Trump made the remarks aboard Air Force One, asserting a $5.2 billion deal for 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil was finalized, with China invited to participate, and praised the U.S.-backed interim government in Venezuela after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro. He said the U.S. had made its first oil sale from Venezuela worth $500 million, with proceeds held in U.S.-controlled accounts, including one in Qatar. The Indian government has not officially responded to the claims.