Trump Repeats Claim That India Will Reduce Russian Oil Imports

US President Donald Trump has again claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to scale back purchases of Russian crude oil, though India has yet to confirm the statement officially.

US President Donald Trump reiterated on Tuesday that India has committed to cutting down its imports of Russian oil, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assured him of the decision during a phone call.

Trump told reporters at the White House Diwali celebrations that Modi “was not going to buy much oil from Russia” as he also wanted to see an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “He wants to see the war end with Russia-Ukraine. And, as you know, they’re not going to be buying too much oil. So they’ve cut it way back and they’re continuing to cut it way back,” Trump said.

While Modi acknowledged Trump’s call and extended Diwali greetings in a social media post, he made no mention of discussions regarding Russian oil. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, which previously said it was “not aware” of any such call, declined to comment further when contacted by the BBC.

India became one of the biggest importers of Russian crude following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, as Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow. By purchasing discounted oil, New Delhi argued that it was ensuring affordable energy for its vast population, while also noting that several Western countries — including the US — continue to trade with Russia in various sectors.

In recent months, however, Washington has accused India of indirectly funding Moscow’s war efforts through its continued oil imports. In response, the Trump administration has ramped up diplomatic and economic pressure, including imposing 50% tariffs on Indian goods — with an additional 25% penalty tied specifically to Russian oil purchases.

Despite this, Trump’s tone has softened recently amid progress in bilateral trade talks. An Indian government spokesperson confirmed that “ongoing discussions” were taking place with the US, noting America’s interest in expanding energy cooperation with India.

A report by Mint suggested that a potential deal could be announced soon, with India possibly agreeing to gradually reduce its imports of Russian oil. The report cited three sources familiar with the matter, hinting that trade and energy diplomacy could play a central role in shaping India–US relations in the coming months.