As the United States and India continue discussions for a new trade deal, a surprising statement by US President Donald Trump has reignited debate over New Delhi’s oil imports from Russia.
Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would stop purchasing Russian oil. The comment, coming just weeks after Washington imposed tariffs on Indian goods over oil-related imports, has added a new layer of complexity to already delicate trade negotiations.
Did PM Modi assure Trump about halting Russian oil imports?
Speaking at a White House event, Trump told reporters that Modi had promised to phase out purchases of Russian oil. “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. You know, you can’t do it immediately—it’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon,” he said.
Trump added that he would next push China to take a similar step, as Washington aims to curb Moscow’s energy revenues amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) neither confirmed nor denied whether such a conversation took place.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India’s import policies are driven solely by the need to protect Indian consumers amid global energy volatility.
“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario,” Jaiswal said, avoiding any direct reference to Trump’s statement.
Why does India continue to buy oil from Russia?
Since the start of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in 2022, India has significantly increased imports of discounted Russian crude. These purchases have allowed India to stabilize domestic fuel prices despite global market disruptions.
Officials have repeatedly said that India’s energy policy is guided by practical considerations, not politics. “Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy,” the MEA said, emphasizing that the country seeks to “broad-base and diversify” its energy sourcing to suit market needs.
For India, Russian oil remains an affordable and reliable option, particularly when global prices fluctuate. Cutting off this supply abruptly would not only raise costs for Indian consumers but also strain the country’s energy security.
What’s next for India–US trade and energy ties?
The controversy comes at a sensitive time, with trade talks between India and the US in progress. The recent American tariffs of 25 per cent on certain Indian imports have already caused friction, and Trump’s comments risk further complicating matters.
Despite that, both nations have been working to deepen cooperation in the energy sector. “We have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement from the US, and discussions are ongoing,” Jaiswal said.