India Will Stop Buying Russian Oil, Donald Trump Reiterates Claim
US President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated his claim that India will stop purchasing oil from Russia, despite the Indian government denying any such discussion took place between PM Narendra Modi and Trump. Speaking at the White House during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump said:
“India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore, and Hungary is sort of stuck because they have one pipeline… but India will not be buying oil from Russia.”
The statement follows a similar claim earlier this week, which had prompted the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to clarify that there was no telephonic or official conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump regarding Russian oil imports.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters at the weekly media briefing:
“Regarding the comment from the US on energy, we have issued a statement. As for a telephone conversation, I can say that there has been no discussion between the Prime Minister and President Trump.”
Jaiswal reiterated that India’s energy import policies are guided entirely by national interest, emphasizing the government’s focus on safeguarding the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile energy market.
“Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions,” he added.
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Despite Western sanctions on Russia, India’s petroleum imports from Russia have continued, becoming a focal point of tension in India-US relations. Jaiswal explained that India’s procurement strategy is aimed at balancing supply security and cost-efficiency, particularly given the country’s status as a major oil and gas importer.
“India has been consistently prioritizing the interests of the consumer in a volatile energy scenario,” he said.
The Indian government has also been pursuing expanded energy ties with the US, aiming for a diversified energy portfolio that mitigates the impact of geopolitical risks while maintaining stable domestic fuel prices.
In his White House remarks, Trump suggested that the US wants India to stop buying Russian crude to pressure President Vladimir Putin and encourage a resolution to the war in Ukraine.
“All we want from President Putin is to stop this, stop killing Ukrainians and stop killing Russians. It’s a war he should have won in one week and now it is going into the fourth year,” Trump said.
Trump’s repeated claims on Indian oil purchases come amid broader US trade tensions with India, including previously doubled tariffs on Indian goods, and a 25% additional duty specifically linked to Russian crude imports.
India has consistently described the US actions, including tariffs linked to Russian oil, as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” Recently, US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor met PM Modi in New Delhi, underscoring the continuing dialogue on trade and energy issues despite ongoing disagreements.
The dispute reflects the complex interplay of geopolitics, energy security, and global trade, with India navigating between national interest and international pressure. Analysts note that any sudden changes in India’s energy policy could impact global oil markets, particularly in Asia’s growing energy demand region.
For now, India remains committed to a balanced energy sourcing strategy, while the US continues to apply diplomatic pressure in pursuit of its foreign policy objectives in Ukraine and Europe.
While President Trump continues to assert that India will halt Russian oil imports, the MEA maintains that India’s decisions are sovereign and guided by national interest. The episode highlights the delicate balance India must maintain between global diplomacy, energy security, and economic priorities, especially amid ongoing US sanctions and geopolitical tensions.
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