'India not going to buy Russian oil anymore', Trump repeats claim during meeting with Ukrainian President

United States President Donald Trump has stated that India will soon halt its purchases of crude oil from Russia, linking the assertion to ongoing pressures on Moscow in relation to its invasion of Ukraine. This statement was made during a recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

During a lunch engagement on Friday, Trump repeated his earlier claims, stating, "Well, India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore." This assertion came on the heels of remarks Trump made at the White House earlier in the week, suggesting he had received assurances from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India would cease buying oil from Russia.

“I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big stop,” Trump said, as reported by various media outlets including Reuters.

However, officials from India quickly responded to Trump's claims, indicating that they were not aware of any such conversation between Modi and Trump. Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, stated, "I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders," adding that the Indian government is focused on protecting the interests of its consumers against a backdrop of fluctuating energy prices.

India is a major importer of oil and gas, and its energy policies are primarily driven by the need to ensure stable supply and pricing for its citizens. In their statements, Indian officials emphasised that import decisions are made with a keen eye on safeguarding the interests of consumers in a challenging energy market.

The Ministry of External Affairs released a statement highlighting India's dual energy objectives: to maintain stable energy prices and secure supply chains. Indian officials have reiterated that their energy import strategies are designed to uphold these goals, despite external pressures.

Relations between the United States and India have become more complex in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The United States has previously imposed tariffs on India related to its oil imports from Russia, increasing financial pressure amid geopolitical tensions.

Media coverage, including reports from major news outlets like CNN and the Hindustan Times, reflect a growing scrutiny of India’s energy procurement amid the global fallout from the Ukraine invasion and Western sanctions on Russia.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how India's energy policies may shift in response to both domestic needs and international pressures.