WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally assured him that India will stop purchasing oil from Russia. This assertion, made to reporters during a White House event, comes amidst strained relations between Washington and New Delhi over India’s continued high-volume imports of discounted Russian crude.
“So I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia,” President Trump stated. He added that an immediate halt was not possible, saying, “You know, you can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon.” Trump called the purported commitment “a big step” and indicated he would next pressure China, another major buyer, to do the same.
The statement by the US President was made during a joint news conference and is widely viewed as a significant diplomatic development, as India has been one of Russia’s top energy customers since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with Russian crude making up roughly a third of India’s total oil imports in recent months.
Indian Confirmation Awaited
As of Thursday morning IST, the Indian government has not officially confirmed the commitment claimed by President Trump. For months, Indian officials have resisted US pressure, publicly defending the Russian oil purchases as essential for the country’s energy security and prioritizing the economic interests of Indian consumers. An official from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, in a response to previous inquiries on oil imports, reiterated that India’s policies are guided by the “consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.”
Tensions and Trade Leverage
The US-India relationship has recently faced friction, primarily due to New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases. The Trump administration previously escalated pressure by imposing a 50% tariff on certain Indian exports, a move the US President linked directly to the Russian oil trade.
Trump also praised Prime Minister Modi, whom he referred to as “a great friend and a great man,” while commenting on a recent meeting between Modi and the new US Ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor.
Market Reaction and Domestic Response
Following President Trump’s remarks, crude oil prices saw a rise of approximately 1% in early Asian trade, with Brent crude futures climbing to over $62 a barrel, reflecting the market’s sensitivity to a potential major supply shift.
In India, the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, reacted critically to the claim, suggesting that PM Modi was “frightened of Trump” and was allowing the US President to announce a major Indian policy decision.
Meanwhile, a high-level Indian trade delegation is currently in Washington to negotiate a reduction in tariffs. India’s Trade Secretary, Rajesh Agrawal, noted on Wednesday that India has the capacity to purchase an additional $14 billion to $15 billion worth of oil from the US, indicating a potential avenue for energy trade diversification.
If confirmed, a move by India to halt Russian oil imports would mark a fundamental shift in its foreign and energy policy, significantly intensifying global economic isolation efforts against Moscow.
