WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump said on October 15 that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally assured him India would stop purchasing Russian oil — a claim New Delhi swiftly denied hours later.
A spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the country’s import policies are determined solely by its national interests, emphasizing that “safeguarding consumers’ interests is India’s top priority.”
“There will be no oil. He’s not buying oil,” Trump told an India-based news agency during an Oval Office exchange, adding that the change would take effect “within a short period of time.”
The U.S. president has grown increasingly frustrated over his failure to end the war in Ukraine, now approaching its fourth year. Trump has voiced irritation with Russian President Vladimir Putin — whom he now calls the main obstacle to peace — and is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 16.
“Modi is a friend of mine, we have a great relationship,” Trump said. “But we were not happy with him buying oil from Russia, because that allowed Russia to continue this ridiculous war where they’ve lost a million and a half people.”
India remains the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian oil, after China. In August, Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods in response to its continued energy trade with Moscow.
In its statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said India is a major importer of oil and gas and that protecting the interests of Indian consumers remains a consistent priority amid a volatile global energy market. It noted that the country’s import policies are driven entirely by this objective.
The ministry added that India’s energy policy is focused on maintaining stable prices and ensuring secure supplies, which are goals that require broadening energy sources and diversifying according to market conditions.
Regarding the United States, the statement said India has long sought to expand its energy procurement, a process that has steadily advanced over the past decade. It added that the current U.S. administration has expressed interest in deepening energy cooperation with India, and discussions on this front are ongoing.