Indian officials have refuted statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had consented to halt India’s imports of Russian oil.
Trump, speaking to the press on Wednesday, stated that Modi had assured him that New Delhi would cease buying Russian crude, acknowledging that unwinding the purchases would require some time but insisting the transition would happen soon.
However, at a briefing on Thursday, Indian representatives cast doubt on these remarks, noting there was “no telephonic conversation between PM Modi and US President Trump on the day that he claims,” directly contradicting the reported assurance.
Tensions between Washington and New Delhi have heightened in recent months as the U.S. responded to India’s continued import of Russian oil with elevated tariffs. In August, President Trump imposed some of the most stringent import duties on Indian goods to date, targeting India’s reliance on discounted Russian energy and accusing Delhi of indirectly financing Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The current policy subjects Indian imports to an additional 25% tariff, atop an existing 25% base rate.
India has consistently defended its energy strategy, stressing that it will not permit U.S. intervention in its domestic policy or foreign partnerships. Since Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine in 2022, India has become one of Moscow’s top oil customers alongside China, securing sizable economic gains through the discounted purchases. This strategy, however, has led to a pronounced rift in U.S.-India relations.
