Trump Cites Modi’s Assurance on Cutting Russian Oil Imports

Post by : Raina Nasser

Former U.S. president Donald Trump on Monday praised India’s approach to purchases of Russian crude, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given him assurances that New Delhi would sharply reduce or even stop buying oil from Moscow.

Talking to reporters aboard Air Force One after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Busan, Trump portrayed India as cooperative on the issue while acknowledging Washington’s limited sway over Beijing’s energy trade with Russia.

“There isn’t much more we can do. China has long sourced oil from Russia and that supplies a substantial portion of its needs,” Trump said, while adding that India had acted positively in this area. He said their conversation focused more on ending the conflict than on specific oil deals.

Trump’s remarks follow a string of statements since mid‑October 2025 in which he repeated that Modi had promised India would curtail or halt imports of Russian crude, a significant revenue stream for Moscow amid the war in Ukraine.

India’s Energy Policy and Response

This month New Delhi publicly responded to Trump’s comments, reiterating that decisions on energy procurement are made to protect national interests and consumers.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underscored that India’s import strategy aims to stabilise domestic prices and secure reliable supplies for its population.

“India is a major importer of oil and gas. Our import policies are designed to shield Indian consumers from volatility and to keep supplies steady,” Jaiswal said, framing procurement as pragmatic rather than political.

He also noted that India is expanding its energy relationships, including dialogues with the United States, to diversify sources and support market stability.

Balancing Global Pressure and Domestic Needs

New Delhi has defended purchases of discounted Russian crude on the grounds of economic necessity and consumer protection, arguing energy security must trump external pressure.

The United States continues to encourage partners to reduce reliance on Russian energy, viewing such imports as a funding channel for Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine.

Trump, who has pushed for closer U.S.-India ties, described Modi’s reported commitment as “a big step” toward efforts to economically isolate Russia. As the conflict in Ukraine moves toward its third year, India’s navigation between affordable energy imports and international expectations remains a closely watched diplomatic tightrope.