United States President Donald Trump on October 17 reiterated that India would halt crude oil imports from Russia, claiming the move was part of a broader effort to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. New Delhi, however, has denied any such discussions with Trump or assurances given to the U.S. administration.
Speaking at the White House during a bilateral lunch with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump asserted that India had already “begun to deescalate and pull back” on its crude purchases from Russia, which he said had triggered the U.S. to impose 25 per cent additional tariffs on certain Indian imports. Trump also suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally assured him that India would cease Russian oil imports, adding that China would follow suit.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that there was no record of any discussion between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi regarding the cessation of Russian oil imports. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India's energy policy is guided by the interests of its consumers and the nation's energy security needs, rather than external pressures.
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India remains one of the world’s largest importers of crude oil, sourcing from multiple regions to meet its energy demand. Russian crude has been a key component, often preferred due to competitive pricing and long-term contracts, particularly amid the global disruptions caused by sanctions on Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Energy analysts note that while India has maintained a neutral stance in the Ukraine conflict, it has actively diversified its suppliers, importing from the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. India’s government has repeatedly emphasised that energy security and economic considerations will guide its crude procurement decisions, not external pressure from any country.
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