India Disputes Trump Claim of Agreement to Halt Russian Oil Purchases

New Delhi – India has publicly challenged assertions made by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to cease purchasing Russian oil.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Trump claimed Modi had “assured me today” that India would end its Russian oil imports, acknowledging a phased approach. “I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he [Modi] has assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump stated, adding he anticipated similar success with China. However, Indian officials swiftly countered this account during a press briefing today, stating definitively, “There was no telephonic conversation between PM Modi and US President Trump yesterday.”

India has significantly increased its reliance on Russian oil since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, becoming one of the largest purchasers globally, second only to China. This has led to escalating tensions with Washington, particularly after Trump imposed substantial tariffs on Indian goods in August, accusing Delhi of financially supporting Russia’s aggression. Currently, India faces an additional 25% import tariff on top of an existing 25% base rate. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has reshaped global energy markets, creating both opportunities and challenges for nations worldwide. India maintains that its energy policies are driven by the need to secure affordable supplies for its growing economy, a position outlined in a recent statement from the Ministry of External Affairs emphasizing the priority of “safeguarding the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.”

Despite the tariff disputes, Trump spoke positively of Modi yesterday, stating, “Modi is a great man. He loves Trump.” The U.S. has previously accused India of bankrolling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions, even referring to the conflict as “Modi’s war.” Russia remains a key defense partner for India, serving as its largest arms supplier, a relationship rooted in Cold War-era ties. You can learn more about the history of India-Russia relations here.

Indian government officials indicated that discussions with the U.S. regarding trade and tariffs are ongoing, and further clarification on the matter is expected in the coming days.