At a recent public event, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would stop buying oil from Russia, which, according to him, is “a big step” in tightening pressure on Moscow amid its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump told the audience that while the shift wouldn’t happen overnight, it would involve “a bit of a process,” but then he believed it would happen soon. He also said he was urging China to scale back its oil purchases from Russia, accentuating his administration’s renewed push to isolate Moscow economically.
However, there’s been no official response from New Delhi. India has consistently defended its energy ties with Russia, stressing that decisions on oil imports are guided by national interest, affordability, and energy security. Since Western sanctions and price caps were imposed, India and China have become Russia’s biggest crude buyers, highly benefiting from discounted prices.
Trump’s remarks come at a sensitive moment in U.S.-India trade ties. Washington’s recent tariffs on Indian goods have been linked to New Delhi’s ongoing trade with Moscow, reflecting growing American impatience.
If India were to cut or end its Russian oil imports, it could significantly reshape global energy markets and mark a deeper alignment with Western sanctions. However, for now, Trump’s claim remains unverified and politically loaded.
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