New Delhi: Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) on Tuesday issued a categorical denial of reports claiming that Russian oil shipments are currently bound for its Jamnagar refinery, labelling the allegations "blatantly untrue" and a threat to the company’s international reputation.

In a statement released on the social media platform X, RIL dismissed a Bloomberg News report that cited shipping data to suggest three vessels carrying Russian crude were destined for the facility. The company asserted that it has received no Russian oil in approximately three weeks and emphasised that it is "not expecting any Russian crude oil deliveries in January."

"A news report in Bloomberg claiming 'three vessels laden with Russian Oil are heading for Reliance Industries Limited's Jamnagar refinery' is blatantly untrue," the company posted. RIL expressed sharp disappointment that its prior denial was allegedly omitted from the published report, stating, "We are deeply pained that those claiming to be at the forefront of fair journalism chose to ignore the denial by RIL... and published a wrong report tarnishing our image."

The corporate pushback arrives during a period of intense geopolitical friction. The United States has recently levied trade tariffs on Indian goods as a "penalty" for India's continued procurement of Russian energy.

The issue has ignited a political firestorm in New Delhi. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, suggesting the government has capitulated to U.S. pressure. Referring to an audio clip in which President Donald Trump claimed the Prime Minister "respects him and listens to him," Kharge alleged that Modi is "under his control."

Invoking a famous pop-culture reference, Kharge likened the situation to the film Mr India. "I am reminded of a dialogue from Mr India, 'Mogambo Khush Hua' (Mogambo is happy). After the Ambassador spoke to him, Trump said 'Mogambo Khush Hua,'" Kharge told reporters, adding that the Prime Minister was "bending" before Washington.

The Congress party also highlighted Trump’s recent remarks aboard Air Force One, where the U.S. leader told reporters, "PM Modi's a very good man... He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly."

While India has consistently maintained that its energy imports are driven by domestic security needs, the convergence of Trump’s tariff threats and the recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela has placed renewed scrutiny on the global oil trade.

With inputs from ANI