Trump claims PM Modi has assured him ‘India won’t buy oil from Russia’
The US President said India’s oil purchases had indirectly helped sustain Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying the continued trade “lets Russia carry on with this ridiculous war where they’ve lost a million and a half people.”
Donald Trump said he had flagged concerns with PM Modi about India’s continued imports of Russian crude. (Photo: Reuters)
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him New Delhi would stop buying oil from Russia, calling it “a big step” in his push to isolate Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had flagged concerns with PM Modi about India’s continued imports of Russian crude, which Washington believes help fund President Vladimir Putin’s war. “I was not happy that India was buying oil,” Trump said.
“He (PM Narendra Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing,” he added.
Trump also said that PM is a close partner despite friction over energy policy. “He’s (PM Narendra Modi) a friend of mine. We have a great relationship,” Trump said when asked if he saw India as a reliable partner amid tensions with China.
However, New Delhi has not confirmed Trump’s claim that India will halt Russian oil imports.
Trump said securing Modi’s assurance was part of his diplomatic push to cut off Moscow’s energy revenue. “Now we’ve got to get China to do the same thing,” he said, adding that pressuring Beijing would be “relatively easy compared to what we just did over the last week in the Middle East.”
MODI LOVES TRUMP, SAYS US PRESIDENT, PRAISING INDIA RELATIONS
The announcement comes days after Trump’s new pick for Indian ambassador, Sergio Gor, met with PM Modi. The appointment of Gor, a close confidant of Trump, was viewed as a sign of continuity and warmth in the US-India bilateral relationship.
Responding to ANI’s question about the meeting, Trump said he was pleased with the interaction between Gor and the Indian prime minister. “I think they were great. Modi is a great man,” he said.
“He (Sergio Gor) told me that he (Modi) loves Trump. I have watched India for years. It’s an incredible country and every single year you would have a new leader. Some would be in there for a few months and this was year after year after year. My friend has been there now for a long time, and he’s assured me there will be no oil purchases from Russia,” Trump said.
The US president added that while India’s shift away from Russian oil would take time, he believed the transition was already under way. “He’s not buying his oil from Russia. He can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon,” Trump said.
Trump said he was confident that progress toward ending the conflict was possible, noting that India’s decision to stop purchasing Russian oil would make efforts easier and that normal trade ties could resume once the war ends.
Trump’s comments come at a time when Washington is ramping up pressure to make sure Western sanctions bite and cut off funds to Russia’s military.
INDIA DEFENDS OIL IMPORTS AS ECONOMIC NECESSITY
India has repeatedly defended its Russian oil purchases, calling them vital for its energy security and economic stability.
Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, Jaishankar hit out at criticism of India’s continued imports of Moscow’s crude and refined products. He said, “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it.”
