 "US President Donald Trump speaks with the press as he meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 13, 2025. (Photo: Jim Watson/AFP)")
After US President Donald Trump claimed that India had committed to stop buying Russian oil, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said its oil purchases are guided by the “consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario”.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal further said that discussions with the United States are ongoing about deepening cooperation in the energy sector.
“Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” said Jaiswal.
The MEA’s statement came after Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him on Wednesday that India would stop buying Russian oil . He said the process to bring India’s purchase to zero had begun and would complete in the due course of time.
Despite Trump’s mention of a conversation, there was no readout either from the White House or from the Prime Minister’s Office about any Trump-Modi call.
‘There will be no oil purchase from Russia’: Trump’s claim about India
Trump on Wednesday claimed that Modi told him earlier in the day that India would stop buying Russian oil.
“I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big stop. And he’s assured me there will be no oil purchase from Russia,” said Trump.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe reduction in Indian purchase of Russian oil has already started, said Trump.
“You know, he can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon,” Trump further said.
Trump has slapped 25 per cent tariff as a punitive measure for buying Russian oil on top of pre-existing 25 per cent tariff — making India the most tariffed country in the world at the moment. Trump and his top officials have repeatedly accused India of funding the Russian war on Ukraine with oil purchase.
Coupled with a burgeoning partnership with Pakistan and other Indian rivals, Trump’s campaign against India has plunged the bilateral relationship to the lowest point in many years, according to observers.