India’s government appeared to subtly challenge President Trump’s recent declaration that the nation would cease its purchases of Russian oil. This cautious response signals New Delhi’s intention to navigate a tense trade disagreement with Washington by sidestepping any direct public clashes.
A statement from India’s foreign ministry refrained from confirming any such commitment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Instead, it highlighted India’s long-standing policy of diversifying its oil import sources.
This careful, indirect approach reflects Mr. Modi’s strategy to defuse tensions with the Trump administration, aiming to alleviate significant U.S. tariffs and restore stability to a bilateral relationship cultivated over twenty years.
Earlier in the week, President Trump asserted that the Indian leader had personally guaranteed to him that India would discontinue buying Russian oil, which the U.S. claims helps finance Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This follows the Trump administration’s August decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports, escalating an existing trade penalty.
During a press conference, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian foreign ministry, stated he had no information regarding any recent conversation between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi.
In contrast to previous instances where India strongly refuted similar claims from Mr. Trump, Mr. Jaiswal’s current stance was notably more cautious. His prior statement offered a soft denial, carefully avoiding a direct challenge to the President.
The ministry’s statement emphasized that India’s oil procurement prioritizes “safeguarding the interests of the Indian consumer amidst a volatile energy landscape.” It further noted that India has been “diversifying as appropriate,” increasing its oil imports from countries like the United States.
The relationship between the two leaders, once characterized by public displays of camaraderie, has become increasingly complicated during the second Trump administration. Tensions escalated after India refuted President Trump’s assertion that he had brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following a military confrontation earlier this year.
For Mr. Modi, acknowledging that he halted military action due to U.S. pressure would undermine his “strongman” persona domestically. President Trump, eager to solidify his image as a peacemaker, perceived India’s denial as an act of ingratitude. Consequently, he redirected his focus to India’s Russian oil purchases – a practice New Delhi claims was previously encouraged by U.S. officials to stabilize global oil prices – leading to tariffs that have severely strained bilateral relations.
Indian officials argue these tariffs are unjust, especially given that other significant importers of Russian oil, such as China, have not incurred comparable penalties.
Harsh V. Pant, a visiting professor of international relations at King’s College London, commented, “If Trump wishes India to act in a particular manner, publicizing it is counterproductive. It complicates matters for Indian policymakers to appear as if they are capitulating to American demands.”
In recent weeks, both nations have opted for discreet diplomacy to reset their relationship. Trade talks have resumed, and Mr. Modi was quick to praise President Trump’s mediation in the Israel-Hamas hostage exchange. On October 9, the Indian leader called Trump to offer congratulations and discuss “the good progress achieved in trade negotiations.”
Adding to these diplomatic overtures, Sergio Gor, a close associate of President Trump and the newly confirmed U.S. ambassador to India, undertook an unconventional four-day visit this month. He met with Prime Minister Modi and other senior officials even before officially presenting his credentials.
India’s foreign minister, S. Jaishankar, recently stated in New Delhi that efforts are underway to resolve outstanding trade matters, preventing them from “percolating into every dimension of the relationship.”
“We acknowledge the existence of problems and issues,” Mr. Jaishankar affirmed. “These matters require negotiation, discussion, and resolution, which is precisely our current endeavor.”
Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Mr. Modi’s economic advisory council, noted that India has consistently prioritized its national interests and opted not to react to “snide remarks and sometimes what could be deemed as racist remarks against India” made by Trump’s advisors.
He further added at a recent economic forum, “Overall, our response has been rather restrained.”
Indrani Bagchi, a foreign-policy analyst and CEO of the Ananta Aspen Center in New Delhi, suggested that President Trump’s comments might be a tactic to exert influence.
“If these are indeed pressure tactics, I don’t believe India will concede,” she stated.