KATHMANDU: Former diplomat K P Fabian has criticized recent actions by former US President Donald Trump in Venezuela, saying they are contrary to international law and the UN Charter.
Speaking about Trump’s remarks regarding India’s oil imports from Russia, Fabian said, “I have been asking myself why President Trump said what he said.” Trump had told journalists aboard Air Force One that India’s decision to import Russian oil was aimed at making me happy, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that the US could impose tariffs on India quickly if needed.
Fabian highlighted that Trump’s reported plans against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Moros would have been illegal. While noting that India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) may have had valid diplomatic reasons for restraint, he said, “Any move to arrest Maduro would be illegal… it was an absolute violation.”
Speculating on Trump’s motivations, Fabian suggested that the former US President may have acted to pre-empt a possible statement from India criticizing his actions. “I wonder whether Trump was worried about India coming out with a statement criticizing him, and he wanted to forestall it. That could be one explanation,” he said.
Fabian also noted that India has continued importing oil from Russia despite multiple international sanctions imposed over Moscow’s war in Ukraine, which may have influenced Trump’s remarks.
Comment