US President Donald Trump has reiterated his belief that India will halt its oil trade with Russia, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him of this decision. Speaking from Air Force One, Trump remarked, “I spoke with Prime Minister Modi, and he said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing.” This assertion comes as Trump made the claim for the third time within five days. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) promptly rejected Trump’s statement, clarifying that there was no discussion between the two leaders concerning India’s energy imports.
Nevertheless, Trump cautioned that India could face “massive tariffs” if it does not comply, referencing the recent 50% duties his administration imposed on Indian goods during ongoing trade negotiations. His comments arrive amid growing tensions over India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Previously, Trump had indicated that Modi assured him the purchases would soon cease, although he acknowledged that the transition would take time. In response, the MEA reiterated that India’s oil import policy is focused on ensuring energy security and affordability for its citizens, emphasizing that decisions are made based solely on national interest. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also mentioned he was unaware of any recent communication between Modi and Trump.
Trump’s repeated assertions highlight the sensitive nature of India-US trade relations, particularly as discussions around tariffs and strategic energy cooperation progress.