India Express Doubt on President Trump's Assertions About Halting Russian Oil Purchases

Indian authorities have expressed skepticism regarding assertions made by President Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to stop purchasing Russian crude oil.

Trump's Claims and New Delhi's Reaction

On Wednesday, Trump claimed that Prime Minister Modi had given him assurances “today” that the Indian government would put an end to its purchase of oil from Russia.

“I was displeased that the Indian administration was purchasing crude, and he [Modi] has assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. You know, you can’t do it immediately. There is a procedural aspect, but the transition is going to be over with soon,” the former president told reporters.

However, in a press briefing on Thursday, Indian officials seemed to contradict the American leader's version, clarifying that there was “no telephonic conversation between PM Modi and US President Trump the previous day”.

Context of India-Russia Relations and Crude Acquisitions

The South Asian nation, which upholds a close ties with the Kremlin, has become one of the biggest buyers of Russian crude since the military action of Ukraine.

This has become a significant source of contention with Washington in the past few months, after the US president was unable to achieve a peace deal with Moscow.

• During the summer, the American leader enforced some of his highest tariffs on India to penalise its procurement of Russian oil.
• He accused Delhi of contributing funds to Russia’s aggression in the conflict zone.
• The country is facing additional 25% import tariffs, in addition to a base of a quarter.

New Delhi's Position and Oil Strategy

India has publicly stood firm, claiming it would not let the United States determine its fuel requirements or interfere in its partnership with Russia, which originates from the cold war.

Moscow continues to be the largest supplier of arms to the Indian armed forces.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian government said negotiations with the United States over trade and import duties were still in progress.

A statement by the Indian ministry of external affairs said the main goal was to “safeguard the well-being of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario” and that all policies were dictated by the imperative to broaden and secure the nation's fuel supply.

Advantages and Repercussions

India has reaped significant benefit from its purchase of cut-price Russian oil since Russia's extensive military campaign of its neighbor in February 2022, becoming one of its leading buyers worldwide, second only to China.

Nonetheless, it has resulted in a severe deterioration in bilateral ties between Washington and New Delhi.

US administration has increasingly sought to accuse Indian leadership of bankrolling the Russian president, Vladimir Putin’s actions against Ukraine, describing the war as “Modi’s war”.

However, on that same day the American leader praised enthusiastically of the Indian prime minister. “Modi is a great man. He loves Trump,” he said.