India’s government demonstrated careful diplomacy on Thursday, responding to President Trump’s declaration that the nation would cease purchasing Russian oil. Without directly refuting his statement, India aimed to de-escalate a contentious trade dispute with Washington and prevent an open conflict.
A statement from India’s foreign ministry subtly contradicted Trump’s remarks, making no reference to any commitment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding Russian oil. Instead, it highlighted India’s longstanding policy of diversifying its oil sources to ensure energy security.
This cautious approach underscores Modi’s strategic effort to navigate the strained relationship with the Trump administration. His goal is to resolve punitive U.S. tariffs and mend ties that have been meticulously built over twenty years.
President Trump had announced on Wednesday that the Indian leader had “assured me today that he will not be buying Russian oil” – a move the U.S. administration frames as essential to curtailing Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. This claim came after Washington had already levied a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports, escalating to an additional 25 percent in August as a punitive measure.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian foreign ministry, stated during a Thursday news conference that he was unaware of any recent conversation between the two national leaders.
However, Jaiswal’s tone was notably more measured compared to previous instances where India had strongly rejected similar claims from Trump about Russian oil. His earlier statement offered a denial but carefully avoided a direct challenge to the President.
The foreign ministry’s statement emphasized that India’s oil procurement strategy prioritizes the welfare of its consumers amidst an unpredictable global energy market. It highlighted ongoing efforts to diversify suppliers, including increased purchases from the United States.
The once-close relationship between the two leaders, often publicly celebrated, has grown complicated during the second Trump administration. Tensions notably rose after India refuted Trump’s assertion that he had mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following a military confrontation earlier this year.
For Prime Minister Modi, acknowledging American pressure to halt military action would be a significant political liability, undermining his strong leadership image domestically. Conversely, President Trump, keen on portraying himself as a Nobel-worthy peacemaker, perceived India’s denial as ungrateful. This led him to intensify focus on India’s Russian oil imports – a practice New Delhi maintains was previously encouraged by U.S. officials to stabilize global oil prices. The subsequent imposition of tariffs effectively stalled diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Indian officials have consistently argued that 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 desires India to act in a specific manner, publicly pressuring them is counterproductive.” He added that such public declarations make it exceptionally challenging for Indian policymakers to appear as if they are capitulating to American demands.
Over the past few weeks, both nations have shifted towards discreet diplomatic efforts to mend their relationship. Trade negotiations have recommenced, and Prime Minister Modi was notably quick to commend President Trump for his role in facilitating the hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. On October 9, Modi personally congratulated Trump and discussed the “good progress achieved in trade negotiations.”
Sergio Gor, a close associate of Trump and recently confirmed U.S. ambassador to India, undertook an unusual four-day visit this month prior to officially assuming his post. During this trip, he met with Prime Minister Modi and other high-ranking officials, an atypical move before presenting his diplomatic credentials.
India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently stated in New Delhi that both countries are actively working to resolve their pending trade disagreements to prevent them from negatively impacting other aspects of their bilateral relationship.
Jaishankar acknowledged the existing challenges, stating, “There are problems, there are issues, nobody is in denial of it.” He affirmed that “Those issues need to be negotiated and discussed and resolved, which is exactly what we are trying to do.”
Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Prime Minister Modi’s economic advisory council, asserted that India has chosen to uphold its national interests and refrain from reacting to “snide remarks and sometimes what could be deemed as racist remarks against India” made by Trump’s advisors.
He noted at a recent economic forum, “We have in general been quite restrained.”
Indrani Bagchi, a foreign-policy analyst and CEO of the Ananta Aspen Center in New Delhi, suggested that Trump’s statements might be a tactic to gain leverage.
She concluded, “If it’s pressure tactics, I don’t think India is going to fold.”
Reporting for this article was also contributed by Hari Kumar.