India Refutes Trump’s Statement About Stopping Oil Imports from Russia

New Delhi: India has firmly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to stop buying oil from Russia. Indian officials clarified that no such discussion or commitment ever took place.

Trump’s Controversial Remark

While speaking to the media on Wednesday, Donald Trump stated:

“I wasn’t happy that India was buying oil from Russia. But today, Modi assured me that they will stop buying it soon. It’s a process, but it will end.”

Trump further added that he also plans to convince China to stop importing Russian oil.

🇮🇳 India’s Firm Response: “No Such Call Took Place”

The very next day, Indian government officials denied Trump’s statement during a press briefing.

“There was no telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump yesterday,” an Indian spokesperson clarified.

India also emphasized that its energy decisions are guided purely by national interest, not by foreign political pressure.

🤝 India-Russia Relations: A Strategic Partnership

India’s strong diplomatic and trade ties with Russia go back to the Cold War era. Despite global tensions since the Ukraine war, India has continued purchasing Russian oil to ensure affordable energy for its citizens.

When the U.S. imposed sanctions on Moscow, India became Russia’s second-largest oil buyer—after China—by taking advantage of discounted crude.

How India Benefits from Russian Oil

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India has been importing Russian oil at a significantly lower price, saving billions of dollars. This has helped stabilize fuel prices domestically and support India’s growing energy demand.

Tension in U.S.-India Relations

Trump’s claim comes amid already strained U.S.-India trade relations. In August, he introduced the highest-ever tariffs on Indian imports, reportedly to penalize India for continuing oil trade with Russia.

The new tariffs add a 25% surcharge on top of the existing duties — further testing economic ties between Washington and New Delhi.

Despite this, India’s Ministry of External Affairs reiterated:

“Our focus remains on protecting the interests of Indian consumers. India will continue to diversify and secure its energy sources.”

Modi Praised Yet Again

Interestingly, even while criticizing India’s oil policy, Trump praised PM Modi, saying:

“Modi is a great man. He loves Trump.”

This mix of praise and pressure has confused political analysts, who note that Trump’s comments often mix diplomacy with personal admiration.

🇮🇳 India’s Stand: Energy Independence Above All

India has made it clear that it will not bow to any foreign pressure when it comes to meeting its energy needs. Officials confirmed that no official conversation between Trump and Modi occurred, and India will continue setting its energy policy independently.

In short, despite Donald Trump’s bold claim, New Delhi stands firm — maintaining that its relationship with Russia and its energy imports are based solely on India’s national interest.