US President Donald Trump has reiterated his assertion that India is set to decrease its procurement of Russian crude oil. Trump mentioned that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed this during a recent phone conversation, stating that Delhi “was not going to buy much oil from Russia” because Modi also wishes for an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
While Prime Minister Modi acknowledged Trump’s call and extended Diwali greetings via social media, he did not comment on the matter of Russian oil. Previously, when Trump made similar claims, India’s foreign ministry stated it was “not aware” of such a call, and an official recently offered no new comment on Trump’s latest remarks.
During a Diwali event, Trump told reporters, “I spoke to Prime Minister Modi today… And he’s not going to buy much oil from Russia. He wants to see the war end with Russia-Ukraine. And, as you know, they’re not going to be buying too much oil. So they’ve cut it way back and they’re continuing to cut it way back.”
India has become a significant market for Russian oil since Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow following the start of the Ukraine war in 2022. India has increased its imports, purchasing Russian crude at reduced prices, citing the necessity for its energy security. Delhi has also noted that several Western nations, including the US, continue to maintain trade relations with Russia.
In response to these geopolitical dynamics, the US has imposed tariffs, including an additional penalty for India’s purchase of Russian oil. However, President Trump’s recent rhetoric has become more conciliatory as trade discussions between the two countries progress. Last week, an Indian government spokesperson indicated that discussions were “ongoing” and that the US administration had expressed interest in enhancing energy cooperation with India.
India is currently involved in important trade talks with the US, aiming for a comprehensive agreement in the near future. Some reports suggest that a deal might be finalized soon, potentially including India’s gradual reduction of Russian oil imports, according to sources familiar with the matter.
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