- Note that the above image is AI generated
US President Donald Trump has ignited fresh controversy by claiming that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assured him that India would stop purchasing Russian oil, a move he hailed as a major step toward isolating Moscow’s economy.
Speaking at a White House media event, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with India’s continued oil trade with Russia, linking it directly to America’s high tariffs on Indian goods. According to Trump, India’s imports were effectively fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine, echoing long-standing concerns from Washington and its Western allies. “Prime Minister Modi told me India will not buy oil from Russia,” Trump said, describing it as a “big step” in cutting Moscow’s revenue streams. He further added that he intends to apply the same pressure on China, which has also become a critical buyer of Russian energy.
Despite Trump’s assertions, New Delhi has not issued any official confirmation that such a promise was made. Analysts in both Washington and New Delhi point out that India’s energy strategy is complex, with Russian oil offering one of the cheapest options for a country determined to fuel its rapid industrial expansion.
India, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, has emerged as one of the leading buyers of Russian crude, taking advantage of discounted prices following sanctions imposed on Moscow by the US and Europe. For India, access to affordable crude oil is critical to sustaining industrial growth, containing inflation, and powering its rising status as a global economic heavyweight.
Trump’s remarks also underline the deep geopolitical tensions that surround global energy markets. Washington has consistently argued that countries purchasing Russian oil are indirectly financing the Kremlin’s military aggression in Ukraine. However, India has long maintained that its purchases are driven by national interest and energy security, not politics.
Observers caution that Trump’s statement, without official confirmation from India, could strain US-India relations at a delicate time. Both nations have sought closer strategic and defense cooperation, but diverging positions on Russian oil remain a sticking point.
The controversy comes as the US continues to pressure global buyers to cut Russian oil imports, attempting to tighten sanctions that have so far failed to cripple Moscow’s revenues. Whether India truly intends to comply with Trump’s claim remains uncertain, but the issue once again underscores how energy trade has become a frontline battleground in global geopolitics.
