US President Donald Trump announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that New Delhi would cease purchasing oil from Russia, describing the commitment as “a big step” in his broader diplomatic efforts to isolate Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump revealed that he had directly raised concerns with PM Modi regarding India’s continued imports of Russian crude oil, which Washington believes are funding President Vladimir Putin’s military operations. “I was not happy that India was buying oil,” Trump said.
He added, “He (PM Narendra Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing.”
Trump emphasised that despite ongoing friction over energy policy, PM Modi remains a close ally. When asked if he viewed India as a reliable partner amid tensions with China, he responded, “He’s (PM Narendra Modi) a friend of mine. We have a great relationship.”
However, New Delhi has not officially confirmed Trump’s claim that India will halt Russian oil imports.
Trump framed securing Modi’s assurance as a key component of his strategy to deprive Moscow of energy revenue. “Now we’ve got to get China to do the same thing,” he said, noting that pressuring Beijing would be “relatively easy compared to what we just did over the last week in the Middle East.”
MODI LOVES TRUMP, SAYS US PRESIDENT, PRAISING INDIA RELATIONS
The announcement follows a meeting just days earlier between PM Modi and Sergio Gor, Trump’s newly appointed ambassador to India. Gor, a close confidant of the US President, was seen as a signal of continued warmth and stability in US-India bilateral ties.
Responding to questions about the meeting, Trump expressed satisfaction with the interaction, stating, “I think they were great. Modi is a great man.”
He continued, “He (Sergio Gor) told me that he (Modi) loves Trump. I have watched India for years. It’s an incredible country and every single year you would have a new leader. Some would be in there for a few months and this was year after year after year. My friend has been there now for a long time, and he’s assured me there will be no oil purchases from Russia.”
Trump acknowledged that India’s transition away from Russian oil would require time but asserted that the shift was already in progress. “He’s not buying his oil from Russia. He can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon,” he said.
The US President expressed confidence that this development would facilitate progress toward ending the Ukraine conflict, stating that normal trade ties could resume once the war concludes. Trump’s remarks come amid Washington’s intensified efforts to ensure Western sanctions effectively cut off funding to Russia’s military.
INDIA DEFENDS OIL IMPORTS AS ECONOMIC NECESSITY
India has consistently defended its purchases of Russian oil as essential for its energy security and economic stability. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar previously stated, “We make decisions that are in national interest.”
Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, Jaishankar rebuked criticism of India’s continued imports of Moscow’s crude and refined products, saying, “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it.”
Since Western nations began phasing out Russian energy imports in 2022, India has emerged as one of Moscow’s largest buyers.
According to trade data cited by Reuters, Russian crude now accounts for nearly one-third of India’s total oil imports. New Delhi maintains that its imports comply with the G7-imposed price cap on Russian oil, arguing that it adheres to all international regulations while addressing domestic energy requirements.
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